System and method for detecting emitter signals

ABSTRACT

A system and method is provided for detecting emitter signals and for determining a scan strategy for a receiver system that receives such emitter signals. Data is provided that specifies one or more emitters or emitter types desired for detection. An algorithm evaluates the cost, in terms of receiver resources, of using one or more different detecting methods to create a receiver scan strategy for the desired emitters or emitter types.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) tocommonly-owned U.S. provisional patent application serial No.60/427,103, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SCAN TABLE ANALYSIS ANDGENERATION, filed on Nov. 18, 2002 under attorney docket no.L00562.70031.US, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention generally relates to signal detection, and moreparticularly, to detecting and analyzing signals generated by emitters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Detection systems exist for detecting signals generated byemitters which are of interest. For example, there are scanners (e.g., apolice scanner) that are capable of scanning a frequency band fortransmissions within that frequency band. In the case of a policescanner, channels are scanned sequentially to find a signal of interest.Scanning is achieved by tuning receiver hardware to a particularfrequency to observe one or more transmissions within that particularfrequency.

[0004] There are more sophisticated systems to detect transmittedsignals that use other methods for determining signals of interest. Forinstance, there are what are referred to as Electronic SupportMeasures/Electronic Intelligence (ESM/ELINT) systems for conductingsurveillance (e.g., radar, and other signals across a wide range offrequency spectrums). These systems detect one or more signals producedby emitters (often called “threats”) that are detected and observed.

[0005] For example, in a military aircraft or other vehicle, enemysignals (e.g., radar) may be observed that are capable of detecting thevehicle (e.g., an airplane). These threats may need to be determinedprior to detection to ensure the safety of the vehicle, and are oftenobserved and classified to identify the particular threat. For example,certain signals may have particular signatures that are indicative ofcertain types of emitters. Further, there may be a need to detect andidentify the location of a threat (e.g., a radar installation) fortargeting purposes.

[0006] There is a problem in that there may be multiple threats but onlya finite number of resources to detect them. More particularly, theremay be hundreds of threats, but receiver capabilities do not allow allthreats to be observed simultaneously at all frequencies. However, thereis a need to scan the frequency spectrum in an efficient manner todetect all of the signals of interest. In some cases, there is a need tohave assurance that a threat will be detected in time to respond to thatthreat. In the case of detection of a radar emitter by a vehicle, it maybe also necessary to detect the threat before the threat is capable ofdetecting the vehicle.

[0007] There is difficulty in balancing the need for detecting each ofnumerous possible threats because of the finite resources of thedetection system. That is, hardware and/or software (e.g., memory,processing capability, etc.) of the detection system may be limited tomonitor only certain portions of the frequency spectrum of interest ormay be limited to detecting a limited number of threats. Practically,there are a number of threats that are concurrently transmitting thatshould be detected, but it is expensive from a hardware standpoint tomonitor all frequencies of interest at all times to detect all threatssimultaneously. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,842 discloses onemethod for improving the probability of intercepting data transmitted ina number of different frequency bands. In summary, there is a continuingneed for improved methods for detecting and analyzing emitter signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a method for detectingan emitter signal using at least one dwell is provided. The dwellindicates a frequency range, an amount of time a receiver is tuned tothe frequency range, how often the receiver revisits the frequencyrange, and a detecting method. The method comprising acts of: a)selecting a set of emitters, the set of emitters including at least oneemitter; b) determining a plurality of receiver detecting methodsavailable to detect the set of emitters; c) selecting a first detectingmethod of the plurality of detecting methods; d) creating a first scanstrategy, the first scan strategy having a first set of dwells, whereina bandwidth of the first detecting method is used to determine a subsetof the plurality of emitters whose frequency range at least partiallyoverlaps a frequency range of the first set of dwells; and e)determining a first cost of the first scan strategy.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprisesacts of: f) selecting a second detecting method of the plurality ofdetecting methods; g) creating a second scan strategy, the scan strategyhaving a second set of dwells, wherein a bandwidth of the seconddetecting method is used to determine a subset of the plurality ofemitters whose frequency range at least partially overlaps a frequencyrange of the second set of dwells; and h) determining a second cost ofthe second scan strategy.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, a method fordetecting an emitter signal using at least one dwell is provided. Adwell indicates a frequency range, an amount of time a receiver is tunedto the frequency range, how often the receiver revisits the frequencyrange, and a receiver detecting method. The method comprising acts of:a) creating a first dwell to detect signals from an emitter the firstdwell using a first detecting method and indicating a first frequencyrange, the first frequency range overlapping at least a portion of thefrequency range of the emitter; b) determining a first cost of the firstdwell; c) creating a set of second dwells to detect signals from theemitter, each of the set of second dwells using a second detectingmethod, the set of second dwells having a combined second frequencyrange overlapping the portion of the frequency range of the emitter; d)determining a second cost of the set of second dwells; and e) comparingthe first cost and the second cost.

[0011] In one embodiment, the method further comprises an act of: f)selecting the first set of dwells for use in a scan strategy if thefirst cost is less than the second cost and selecting the second set ofdwells for use in the scan strategy if the second cost is less than thefirst cost.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a receiversystem for detecting an emitter signal using at least one dwell isprovided. A dwell indicates a frequency range, an amount of time areceiver is tuned to the frequency range, how often the receiverrevisits the frequency range, and a receiver detecting method. Thereceiver system comprises: a memory having stored therein a scanstrategy, the scan strategy being created by a system that executes actsof: a) selecting a set of emitters, the set of emitters including atleast one emitter; b) determining a plurality of receiver detectingmethods available to detect the set of emitters; c) selecting a firstdetecting method of the plurality of detecting methods; d) creating afirst scan strategy, the first scan strategy having a first set ofdwells, wherein a bandwidth of the first detecting method is used todetermine a subset of the plurality of emitters whose frequency range atleast partially overlaps a frequency range of the first set of dwells;and e) determining a first cost of the first scan strategy. The receiversystem further comprises a controller that configures receiver hardwareto execute the scan strategy.

[0013] Further features and advantages of the present invention as wellas the structure and operation of various embodiments of the presentinvention are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicatelike or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most oneor two digits of a reference numeral identifies the drawing in which thereference numeral first appears.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appendedclaims. The above and further advantages of this invention may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which similar referencenumbers indicate the same or similar elements.

[0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a detection system according to oneembodiment of the invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a detection system according toanother embodiment of the invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a process for determining scanstrategy according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an emitter database according to oneembodiment of the invention;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process for evaluating an antennamodel according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of another process for evaluating anantenna model according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 7 is a chart showing an example emitter signal that can bereceived and detected according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIGS. 8A-8B are charts showing how signals are measured withoutand with pulse grouping logic, respectively;

[0023]FIG. 9 is an example showing how emitters having different sets ofrange controls may be satisfied by selecting dwells according to oneembodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIGS. 10A-10B are charts showing time in beam (TIB) extractionfor different sensitivity levels according to one embodiment of theinvention;

[0025]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the placement of dwells inrelation to the pulse repetition intervals of emitters, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

[0026]FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating two possible dwell placementsolutions for detecting an emitter, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

[0027]FIG. 13 is a table showing an example of a portion of aninformation matrix, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0028]FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing possible dwell placementsolutions for the information matrix of FIG. 13, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

[0029]FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method forcreating a scan strategy, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0030]FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method forcreating a scan strategy, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0031]FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating two possible scan strategiesgenerated by using different initial limit values, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

[0032]FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method forcreating a scan strategy, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0033]FIG. 19 is a table showing emitter timing data, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

[0034]FIG. 20 is a table showing emitter timing data and dwell cost,according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0035]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the timing of execution of dwells,according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0036]FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating a method of selecting anon-maximum dwell duration, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

[0037]FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating a method of FIGS. 24A-24F areexamples Solution and Data matrices, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

[0038]FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating dwell coverage of emitters afterrounding down dwell minimum frequencies, according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

[0039]FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating dwell coverage of emitters afterrounding down dwell minimum frequencies, according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

[0040]FIG. 27 is a flow chart illustrating a method of compensating fortuning step coverage gaps, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0041]FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating a method for verifying andallocating receiver system resources, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

[0042]FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating a method for verifying andallocating receiver system resources, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

[0043]FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an emitter's frequency range brokenup into discrete pieces, according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0044]FIG. 31 is a diagram showing simulated detection of an emitter'sscan pattern according to one embodiment of the invention; and

[0045]FIG. 32 is a diagram showing illumination periods of an emitter'sscan pattern, minus integration time, according to one embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] According to one aspect of the present invention, an improvedmethod is provided for detecting signals generated by one or moreemitters. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which various aspects of theinvention may be employed. In particular, a method for determining ascan strategy may be employed in conjunction with a detection system 101that detects one or more signals 105A, 105B transmitted by one or moreemitters 104A, 104B. As discussed above, these emitters 104A, 104B maybe transmitted by one or more threats 106A, 106B, respectively.

[0047] Detection system 101 may include one or more sensors 102 and oneor more processing systems 103 that receive and process signals 105A,105B received by sensor 102. These signals 105A, 105B may be, forexample, electromagnetic signals transmitted in any one of a number offrequencies, including radar, communication, and other types of signals.In one embodiment, the receiver or receivers may be capable of detectingone or several instantaneous frequency (IF) bandwidth and videobandwidth (VBW) combinations with varying sensitivity. Further, thedetection system may employ alternate, single or multiple methods ofsignal detection.

[0048] Signals received from sensor 102 are passed to receive processor103. In one aspect of the present invention, receiver processor 103receives and processes multiple signals from one or more sensors 102 andimplements a scan strategy. In particular, processor 103 may be capableof detecting one or more threats 106A-B by observing frequency bandsdefined by the scan strategy. This scan strategy may be provided by oneor more systems 108A-108B, for example.

[0049] As discussed above, detection system 101 may be implemented invarious ways. For example, a scan strategy may be computed offline bysystem 108B. The scan strategy may then be transferred to detectionsystem 101, which is mounted in a vehicle. Detection system 101 may thenimplement the scan strategy computed by system 108B. Vehicle 107 may be,for example, an aircraft that flies a particular mission. Althoughsystem 101 may be installed on or used in conjunction with a vehicle107, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to beingused with a vehicle. For example, system 101 may be used as a standalonesystem, or may be a stationary or mobile unit.

[0050] System 101 may be implemented in hardware, software, or acombination thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, variouscomponents of system 101 may be implemented in a software programexecuting in a general purpose computer system (e.g., a personalcomputer (PC)). It should be appreciated that the present invention isnot limited to any particular combination of hardware or software, butrather, the system may be implemented with any number and combination ofhardware and/or software systems.

[0051] System 108A-108B may determine an optimum strategy for scanningthe multiple signals according to various embodiments of the invention.In one embodiment of the invention, processing systems 108A-108B providean evaluation of the strategy to determine whether each signal ofinterest is detected within defined constraints.

[0052] A determination of scan information (e.g., a scan database in theform of a scan table) that describes an optimum scan strategy may beperformed by system 108A (e.g., system 108A may form part of detectionsystem 101) or by a system 108B external to detection system 101 (e.g.,a computer system configured to determine scan table information fordetection system 101). Any system, either part of or separate fromdetection system 201 may be used to determine a scan strategy. Accordingto one aspect of the present invention, a software program that executeson a PC may accept a number of parameters describing emitters ofinterest, system configuration information and in, one embodiment,actual emitter data to determine an optimum scan table for the detectionsystem 101. The software program may be capable of producing scaninformation in a format that can be used to execute the determined scanstrategy by detection system 101. For a detection system 101 implementedin a vehicle 107 (e.g. an aircraft), the software program may beoperated prior to a mission to determine an optimum scan table, and thescan table may be input to the detection system 101 for use during amission.

[0053]FIG. 2 shows a system 201 for determining a scan strategyaccording to one embodiment of the invention. System 201 is similar infunction to systems 108A-108B described above and is configured todetermine a scan strategy for one or more detection systems (e.g.,detection system 215). System 215, similar in function to systemsdescribed above, is configured to receive one or more signals 208 to bedetected and identified. These signals may be received by one or morereceivers/sensors 206, outputs of which are processed by a processor204. Processor 204 analyses and identifies these signals based on thescan strategy and other information provided by system 201 andinformation identified in the received signals.

[0054] As discussed above, these signals may be transmitted by one ormore threats, and system 201 may be used in conjunction with a detectionsystem (e.g., system 215) to identify these threats to a user. That is,system 101 may be operated to provide a scan strategy to detectionsystem 215.

[0055] Further, system 201 may have an associated interface 203 toreceive input from and display information to user 202. Interface 203may be, for example, a graphical user interface of a computer system.User 202 may also provide input to system 201 to configure system 201,input define constraints, provide information regarding emitters, orprovide any other type of input. According to one embodiment of theinvention, a number of emitters are defined to the detection system 201by user 202, and based on these emitters, a scan strategy 211 may bedetermined for one or more of these emitters. As discussed above, asystem for determining scan strategy may be incorporated in a detectionsystem, or may be implemented separately, and it should be appreciatedthat the invention is not limited to any particular implementation.

[0056] System 201 may include an associated storage 205 for storing oneor more emitters 210 that includes one or more emitter entries, a scanstrategy 211, any constraints 212, and rules 216 for processingemitters. Although FIG. 2 shows storage 205 that is part of system 201,it should be appreciated that storage 205 may be separate from system201. Further, it should be understood that any portion of the data usedby system 201 may be stored in any location, either on system 201 orelsewhere.

[0057] In one embodiment, an emitter entry includes a number ofparameters that describe a particular emitter (e.g., frequency range,antenna type, scanning method used, etc.) Constraints 212 may include,for example, constraints of system 201 which may include, for example,processor 204 capability, memory limitations, or any other limitationsof hardware and/or software of system 201 that may effect itsperformance in detecting and identifying signals 208. Constraints 212may also include those limitations posed by a user (e.g., limitation toa particular frequency band of interest, removal of a particular emittertype, or other user limitation). Scan strategy 211 may include a numberof entries that define one or more “dwells” used to scan one or more ofthe emitters defined in emitter database 210. A dwell generally definesscan resource solution(s) (e.g., frequency range to be scanned,sensitivity, scan period, revisit time, etc.) that meet one or moreemitter requirements. A dwell may be used to configure a receiver thatdetects the one or more emitters that the dwell is designed to detect.

[0058] Optionally, system 201 may be adapted to determine a scanstrategy taking into account the operation of one or more jammers 207that actively provide signals 209 to a jammer transmitter 214 that“jams” one or more emitters. That is, system 215 may be capable ofproducing a signal that interferes with detection by a threat. Accordingto one aspect of the invention, it is realized that a jammer may have aneffect on detection of one or more signals by system 215, and thereforeit may be beneficial to consider activity of a jammer in determining ascan strategy by system 201.

[0059] Determining Scan Strategy

[0060] According to one aspect of the present invention, a receiver scanstrategy may be generated that provides optimal or near optimalintercept performance against an arbitrary selected set of emitterparameters. It is realized that a scan strategy that can enableefficiently scanning of a set of emitters and meet the interceptrequirements of each emitter in the set. Also, based on one or moreemitters of the set, a scan strategy may be determined that minimizesthe number of tuning dwells used to detect the emitter(s). In anotheraspect of the present invention, the scan strategy minimizes the numberof receiver resources necessary to detect one or more emitters ofinterest.

[0061]FIG. 3 shows a process 300 for determining a scan strategy. Atblock 301, process 300 begins. At block 302, a solution is determinedfor one or more emitters of interest. As discussed above, parametersassociated with each emitter of interest may be input to system 201.System 201 may be capable of allowing a user to select emitters forwhich a scan strategy is to be determined. Optionally, constraints maybe defined to system 201. A mathematical model may be constructed usingemitter parameters and constraints, if any, that can be used todetermine tuning dwells and their associated parameters. Moreparticularly, at block 303, a scan strategy may be determined, forexample, by determining dwells that meet the emitter requirements,selecting an optimum dwell set (e.g., based on cost of executing thedwell set). For instance, dwells may be defined that meet therequirements of a set of emitters, and dwells may be compared based on acost of implementation, and dwells may be selected as part of a solutionset of dwells based on their cost of implementation. According to oneembodiment of the invention, a database of emitter parameters is used todetermine a set of receiver tuning dwells that are minimal or nearminimal in number and minimal or near minimal in usage of receiverresources, as allocated in time, the set of dwells, when executed,allows the receiver to satisfy its intercept requirements. Optionally,the determined scan strategy may be evaluated to measure its performanceat block 304. At block 305, process 300 ends.

[0062] In one embodiment, a database of emitter parameters is createdthat includes intercept requirements for each emitter. In anotherembodiment, the database may include alternative and/or multipleintercept requirements per emitter. Emitters in the database or a subsetthereof are selected, and dwell parameters are determined for theseselected emitters. According to one embodiment, the dwell solution maybe constrained by one or more solution constraints, if any. In anotherembodiment, inputs are accepted that constrain the solution based onenvironmental knowledge of the operating theater or region. According toone aspect of the invention, each of the emitter model, its dwellsolution(s), constraints, and other related information may be stored inan entity referred to as an emitter database.

[0063]FIG. 4 shows an emitter database 401 according to one embodimentof the invention. More particularly, emitter database 401 includes oneor more emitter entries 403, each of which corresponds to an emitter tobe detected by the detection system (e.g., system 215). Associated witheach emitter entry are a number of emitter parameters 402 which describecharacteristics of each emitter. Emitter parameters 402 may also includeone or more solutions for each emitter (e.g., dwell solutions thatsatisfy the emitter requirements). The emitter database 401 can take theform of an N by M matrix (referred to hereinafter as an “informationmatrix”) that models emitters (N) and their potential solutions (M) inwhich the minimal solution set is contained. As discussed above,constraints may also apply to this N×M information matrix.

[0064] Based on the emitter and constraint (if necessary) inputs, dwellparameters may be computed for each selected emitter database entry (Ninputs). This computation may be performed for every possible receivertuning configuration (e.g., IF/VBW combination), yielding severalpotential solutions per emitter database entry (M).

[0065] As discussed above, modeling may be used to determine a scanstrategy. In particular, a model of the receiver may be employed toestablish receiver characteristics with respect to valid tuningconfigurations. An environment model may also be included to modelelectromagnetic propagation between each emitter and the receiver. Forexample, system 201 may model 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional emittertransmitted scan patterns. These models and their characteristics arethen used to determine hardware settings of a receiver processor fordetecting these emitters within particular constraints as discussedfurther below.

[0066] Determining an Optimal Dwell Solution

[0067] As discussed above, the emitter database 401 may include one ormore dwell solutions for each emitter. These dwell solutions may includeone or more parameters that specify tuning configurations to detect theemitter signal. According to one embodiment of the invention, emitterdatabase 401 (e.g., an information matrix) may include, for example, oneor more tuning parameters of the dwell including parameters referred toherein as dwell duration and revisit time. Dwell duration is the amountof time spent observing a particular frequency (e.g., a portion of theelectromagnetic frequency spectrum), and the revisit time of aparticular dwell frequency is the time between observations of thatfrequency. Revisit time may be solved for single and multipleillumination time cases, as appropriate.

[0068] A ratio of dwell duration and revisit time may be used toapproximate the receiver “cost” of executing the dwell. Given an N by Minformation matrix, a search may be performed for an optimum solutionthat minimizes the cost of the dwells, and the solution may beconstrained as necessary. According to one embodiment of the invention,the optimum solution may be defined as any set of scan strategy dwellsthat reduces both the dwell count and receiver usage, the receiver usagebeing defined as the sum of individual dwell durations divided byindividual dwell revisit times.

[0069] Because a search for the optimal solution using this model is anNP-Complete problem that cannot be solved mathematically, severalmethods may be used to guide, limit and prune the search to avoidsearching exhaustively. These methods include but are not limited toreceiver segmentation (multiple receivers), frequency segmentation,field of view segmentation, pre-filtering and post-filtering techniquesto set and reset potential solution paths, and partial path evaluationto identify and avoid false solutions. It should be appreciated that anymethod may be used to determine an optimal solution, and the inventionis not limited to any particular solution determining method.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the invention, the receiver modelmay be used to take advantage of timing relationships between dwells tominimize the cost function and remove potential scan redundancy. Once anoptimum solution is found, it is still possible that the solution cannotbe realized, given hardware and/or software constraints of the receivingsystem. This condition may be detected and a realizable solution may bedetermined, for example, by fully consuming the constrained capacity,then completing the solution search with the consumed capacity excludedfrom potential solution set. A solution search may be performediteratively on each capacity modeled, until a viable solution is found,or the conclusion is drawn that no viable solution exists (e.g., thereceiving system lacks the hardware or software resources to solve thedesired intercept problem requirements).

[0071] Receiver dwells may be outputted by system 201 along with dataindicating estimated real-world performance. This information may beoutput, for example, to a user for evaluation purposes. Scan strategy(e.g., a set of receiver dwells) may be output by system 201 to areceiver system capable of performing the scan strategy. Alternatively,system 201 may be part of the receiver system, and there fore may bepart of a system that executes the scan strategy. The set of dwells usedby the receiver system may be output in a form usable by the receiversystem.

[0072] In another embodiment of the invention, it is recognized thatELINT and ESM receiver systems are designed to intercept non-cooperativesignals of interest. Because the signals are non-cooperative, thereceiver system analyzes all detected signals present in the environmentto discriminate signals of interest from environmental noise andincidental background signals. Because the detection environmentcomplicates detection of emitters of interest, computational andthroughput burdens are imposed on the receiver system and these burdenscan slow signal intercept performance. Thus, it may be beneficial toreduce the effects of the processing burden and improve receiverintercept performance in the presence of significant environmentalbackground energy.

[0073] ELINT and ESM receivers employ a scan strategy to scan thefrequency spectrum for signals of interest. This scan strategy comprisesa set of dwells, which define for how long energy is sampled in aportion of the frequency spectrum, and how often that portion of thefrequency spectrum should be sampled. These are referred to as DwellDuration (DD) and dwell Revisit Time (RVT) respectively. Dwell Durationmay be further subdivided into two time intervals, Minimum DwellDuration (MDT) and Extended Dwell Duration (EDT). A value of MDT definesthe shortest time period spent for a given dwell, while a value of EDTdefines the maximum amount of time spent for the given dwell. The actualtime spent (Dwell Duration) ranges between these two limits, based onthe signal density in the sampled portion of the spectrum.

[0074] Described below are various aspects of the invention which relateto the detection of emitter signals and/or determination of a scanstrategy. Each aspect, although described below in terms of one or moreexamples, is independent and therefore each independent is not limitedto the examples, or to any other aspects described herein.

[0075] Discontinuity Correction

[0076] As discussed above, emitters may be modeled using parameters thatdescribe the transmission characteristics of the emitter signal. Thesecharacteristics are commonly referred to in the art as an antenna model.These characteristics may include, for example, beamwidth, frequencyrange, gain (e.g., in main beam and side lobes), etc.

[0077] Often, there may be errors in the models that may affect how theemitters are processed and detected. When revisit times are computed foreach receiver detecting method (e.g., HW bandwidths) for an emitter inan information matrix of emitters, they may not be monotonicallyincreasing/decreasing as expected due to discontinuities in the emitterantenna model. According to one embodiment, these discontinuities areidentified and errors are flagged if the correction would be largeenough to imply an error in the model. These errors may be created, forexample, during emitter input (e.g., a data entry error) may be due to adata integrity error, or other reason. In conventional detectionsystems, such errors are not detected and if unrecognized, would lead toan inefficient or erroneous dwell strategy.

[0078] More specifically, it is assumed that the antenna structure of anemitter will have a main beam which is several degrees (or fractions ofa degree) wide, and a sidelobe structure situated on either side of themain beam. These side lobes will have lower magnitude moving away fromthe main beam, and this magnitude drops sharply as the distance from themain beam becomes greater.

[0079] If a system used to detect such an emitter sees an atypicallobing structure, the emitter may be ignored as the antenna model isincorrect (and therefore the emitter should not be used to determine thedwell solution). For instance, using the antenna model described above,it is expected that as the sensitivity of the receiver is adjusted todetect more of the model (e.g., sidelobes), the revisit time fordetecting should also increase. If the revisit time decreases assensitivity increases, an error may exist in the antenna model.

[0080]FIG. 5 shows a process 500 for evaluating an antenna modelaccording to one embodiment of the invention. This process may beperformed, for example, by a detection system (e.g., system 201). Atblock 501, process 500 begins. As part of determining dwell duration,dwell revisit time (RVT) is computed for each detecting method (e.g., IFand video bandwidth combinations) of the receiver. At block 502, asub-matrix may be created for each emitter/emitter mode processed, eachrow representing the results for each emitter/mode, and each columnrepresenting one of the detecting methods. At block 503, the columns areordered by increasing sensitivity of the detecting method. Because thecolumns are in increasing sensitivity order, physics dictates that thecomputed revisit time (RVT) across the columns should be equal ormonotonically increasing. Therefore, according to one embodiment of theinvention, a method is provided that determines whether revisit timedecreases as sensitivity increases, and if so, an error is identified.

[0081] According to one embodiment, an algorithm is provided thatanalyzes the emitter matrix for errors in an antenna model. In oneexample shown in FIG. 5, the detection system loops through each row ofthe sub-matrix and compares the N^(th) non-zero value of RVT to N+1value, to identify a decreasing delta (in one embodiment, a value ofzero is used to indicate that no RVT computation was performed for thecorresponding detection method). In particular, the detection systemevaluates for each N^(th) non-zero value of RVT, the difference betweenthe values of RVT_(N) and RVT_(N+1) at block 504. At block 505 it isdetermined whether the value of RVT is increasing, and if so, the N+1column is determined to be valid, and N is incremented at block 507. Ifthe value of RVT is decreasing the N+1 column is marked as invalid, andthe N^(th) column is compared with the N^(th)+2 column to determinewhether RVT is increasing. If no discrepancies are found, then thecolumn of the sub-matrix is valid.

[0082] Optionally, if the deltas are small enough, the column values areput in ascending RVT order, under the assumption that the error is dueto a minor modeling discontinuity. An error may be considered “largeenough,” for example, depending on how good the antenna model is (e.g.,whether the antenna model is accurate in its description of the lobingstructure) and how closely the detection system should adhere to thismodel. For example, if the antenna model is determined empirically fromdata, and data points are interpolated, a less-stringent error may beneeded to account for minor errors in the model. However, if the modelis based on range testing or some other more accurate method, then theallowable error may be less. According to one embodiment, this error isconfigurable by an operator according to the antenna model used. Forinstance, the model could be considered valid if error is not greaterthan 30%. However, it should be appreciated that the error value couldbe adjusted to any acceptable value to identify model errors withouttriggering false indications, and that the invention is not limited toany particular value.

[0083] If the detected error is large, no correction is made and theerror is left for downstream validation to detect and flag to theoperator (e.g., via interface 203). In one embodiment of the invention,the algorithm may be performed as part of process 300 for determining ascan strategy as discussed above. In particular, the algorithm may beperformed as part of, for example, block 302 wherein emitter data isinput, and is checked for discontinuities prior to determining a dwellstrategy.

[0084]FIG. 6 shows another process 600 for evaluating an antenna modelaccording to one embodiment of the invention. At block 601, process 600begins. According to this embodiment, the evaluation is segmented bycolumns at block 602, allowing comparisons across groups of relatedcolumns, and therefore the detection system can perform comparisonsbetween groups of related detecting methods. For each group, thedetection system evaluates the entries within the group at block 603.This evaluation for a subgroup may be similar to the evaluationperformed on an entire group as discussed above with reference to FIG.5. In one embodiment of the invention, seven columns are checked in twopasses, one pass testing the monotonic relationship across the firstfour columns representing a first group, and the other pass testingacross the last three columns representing a second group. According toone embodiment, detecting methods within a group may be reordered withinthat group. Discontinuities among the groups can also be identified(e.g., at block 604). In one embodiment of the invention, if there is adiscontinuity between groups, it is left uncorrected to be flagged bydownstream validation logic for the operator's resolution or resolutionby another process. For instance, at block 606, the emitter model may beflagged as being suspect for resolution by the operator or anotherprocess. At block 607, process 600 ends.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the invention, evaluation of errormay be performed within video bandwidth (VBW) groups. More particularly,groups may be placed, for example, in ascending order, and errorsdetermined by comparing consecutive entries. As discussed above, entrieshaving a decreasing value within the ascending order may be ignored,while errors due to minor sensitivity deltas may be corrected. Errorsbetween IF bandwidths may also be detected, however, the error may becoarser, and therefore the error tolerance greater between entries.

[0086] In this manner, the accuracy of the emitter database isincreased, and as a result, the scan strategy based on the more accuratedatabase is more accurate. More particularly, errors in the emitterdatabase are eliminated and removed prior to determining the scanstrategy, and therefore the scan strategy is more accurate.

[0087] Multi-Valued Illumination Time Revisit Time Calculation

[0088] As discussed above, an emitter may, for example, present morethan one illumination time to a detecting receiver. For example, amultifunction radar that both sweeps azimuth and changes its elevationangle presents multiple illuminations to be detected. In this example,each pass of the radar provides a different power level beam width tothe receiver that should be detected.

[0089] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for computing the revisit time for an emitter that presentsmore than one unique value of illumination time to the detectingreceiver. In one embodiment, each of the multivalued illuminations arerepresented as a single emitter, and a revisit time is calculated thatmeets requirements for detecting any of the illuminations.

[0090] The revisit time equation is a closed-form equation whenillumination time is single valued, but needs to be solved iterativelywhen it is not. An inefficient approximation is to take the average ofthe illumination time values and use the closed form equation.Conventional systems generally use the average value and it is realizedthat this average value is not, in general, the most efficient solution.According to one aspect of the invention, a detection system uses a moreweighted method for determining revisit time for multivaluedilluminations, in one embodiment, an open-form equation is used todetermine a corresponding revisit time for multivalued illuminations.Therefore, one aspect of the invention involves solving the open-formequation in an iterative manner within a tolerance (e.g., an acceptableprobability of detecting each illumination). In one embodiment, aninitial RVT is determined based on an average value of the time in beam(TIB) of all of the illuminations of interest. The average value of RVTmay be, in most instances, a good “first guess” at an RVT value whichcan be improved upon iteratively. For instance, in one embodiment, theinitial RVT may be estimated (e.g., by taking the average value) andthen adjusted to meet a desired probability of detection.

[0091] In one embodiment of the invention, dwell revisit time (RVT) isdetermined for each detecting method (e.g., IF and video bandwidthcombinations) of the receiver. This computation involves evaluating thefollowing equation: $\begin{matrix}{{RVT} = {{TIB}( {1 - \frac{N}{{Ln}( {1 - {Pd}} )}} )}} & {{Equation}\quad 1}\end{matrix}$

[0092] Where N is the number of detection opportunities (e.g., allowableradar “paints”), Pd is the desired probability of detection and TIB isthe expected duration of each “paint” or illumination. TIB is only asingle value for 2D scans under static conditions. For 3D scans, theremay be several values of TIB per “paint” (N), and under dynamicscenarios, 2D TIB increases/decreases on subsequent paints based ondecreasing/increasing range, respectively.

[0093] The following example process determines RVT with several TIBvalues per paint N and varying TIB values per paint N. This processincludes an assessment of the partial contribution of each TIB insatisfying the overall probability of detect, andincrementing/decrementing the trial RVT value until the sums satisfy thedesired probability of detection, within a tolerance.

[0094] Given:

[0095] TIBS: A vector of illumination times for the observation period

[0096] Pd: Desired probability of detection

[0097] STEP: Minimum RVT increment

[0098] RVT_(max): Maximum permissible RVT value

[0099] The following process may be used to determine RVT:

[0100] 1. Initialize the constants NI and PPT.

[0101] NI:=integer number of “paints” in the observation period

[0102] PPT:=number of elements in TIBS

[0103] These represent the total number of passes the radar makes acrossthe search volume, and the total number of paints within that areobservable within the search volume across the observation period,respectively. If the TIBS data represents 3D scan information, theseconstants are adjusted as follows:

[0104] PPT:=PPT÷NI (paints per volume search)

[0105] NI:=1

[0106] 2. Using Equation 1 above, compute the initial RVT by setting Nto NI and TIB to the average value of TIBS. If the resulting RVT islarger than the largest value in TIBS (and therefore the average valueof TIBS may not be the best “first guess”), recompute RVT with TIB setto the max value of TIBS and N=1.

[0107] 3. RVT is now that initial solution. Determine the searchdirection:${SIGN} = {{\ln ( {1 - {Pd}} )} - {\sum\limits_{M = 1}^{PPT}\frac{NI}{1 - \frac{RVT}{{TIBS}_{M}}}}}$

[0108] Set SIGN to +1 or −1, depending on if it is positive or negative.

[0109] 4. Determine if RVT value is close enough, exiting if thepredicted Pd delta is within tolerance:${Tolerance} \geq {{Pd} - ^{\sum\limits_{M = 1}^{PPT}\frac{NI}{1 - \frac{RVT}{{TIBS}_{M}}}}}$

[0110] 5. Increment/decrement trial RVT:

RVT=RVT+SIGN×STEP

[0111] Exit if RVT increments/decrements out of the range0≦RVT≦RVT_(max), limiting RVT to the crossed bound.

[0112] If the loop counter exceeds RVT_(max)÷STEP, exit logging anerror.

[0113] 6. Test trial RVT:${SIGN}_{T} = {{\ln ( {1 - {Pd}} )} - {\sum\limits_{M = 1}^{PPT}\frac{NI}{1 - \frac{RVT}{{TIBS}_{M}}}}}$

[0114] Set SIGN_(T) to +1 or −1, depending on if it is positive ornegative

[0115] 7. If SIGN equals SIGN_(T), repeat steps 5 and 6. Exit if SIGNTis positive. If SIGN_(T) is negative, decrement RVT by STEP and exit.

[0116] By using the above process, an RVT is determined that takes intoaccount more than one unique value of illumination time, and is moreefficient than computing an average value using all of the illuminationsof interest. Because the computed RVT satisfies a predeterminedtolerance, the probability of detection for each of the illuminations issatisfied.

[0117] Multiple Intercept Rule Evaluation

[0118] As discussed above, there are conventional detection systems thatscan a range of frequencies linearly and therefore these systems do notestablish scan strategies. However, in a system that computes a scanstrategy having multiple solutions for establishing dwells, multiplescan strategies may be determined having multiple configurationpossibilities for one or more receiver(s). That is, there may be morethan one scan solution for a given set of emitters, and there may bemore than one hardware configuration that meets each scan solution'srequirements. According to one aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for solving the combinational problem for configuring receiverhardware where more than one possible scan solution exists.

[0119] Problems also exist in determining a solution for detectingmultiple emitters involving satisfying the scanning requirements foreach emitter and determining an overall solution. In particular, thedetection system establishes, for each emitter, at what time and whatrange the signal produced by the emitter should be intercepted. Also,the system must determine how fast to sample the incoming signal toachieve an acceptable intercept time. Because the solution for multipleemitters is a complex problem, a system that has flexibility inprioritizing and handling the detection of multiple emitters ispreferable.

[0120] According to one aspect of the invention, a rule-based system isprovided for determining how emitters should be detected by a detectionsystem (e.g., detection system 201). According to one embodiment of theinvention, rules are associated with particular emitters which determinehow signals generated by corresponding emitters are detected by thedetection system. For instance, rules may be used to prioritize certainemitters with respect to other emitters and, based on these rules, anoperator of the system may determine a solution to the scanning problem.

[0121] In one embodiment, there may be parameters that may be associatedwith an emitter of interest that affects if and/or how the emitter isdetected. These parameters define generally how each rule operates. Inone embodiment of the invention, an intercept rule may be defined peremitter mode, the rule determining, for example, at what minimum rangethe emitter needs to be detected, the allowed probability of interceptof the emitter, the amount of time allowed to observe an emitter priorto detection, etc. According to another embodiment, this may be expandedto allow several rules per emitter mode, and to allow for automaticselection of the most appropriate rule given a resolution criterion(e.g., most stringent rule, least stringent rule, ignore particularrules, etc.).

[0122] As discussed above, FIG. 3 shows a flow chart for determining ascan solution for emitters of interest. The first step of this processdatabase determine an emitter of the emitters of interest for which asolution is determined. For each emitter and emitter mode, a single setof detection rules may be defined (e.g., by a user or operator). One ormore detection rules may be stored in the emitter database (e.g., in aninformation matrix) and one or more rules may be associated with anemitter entry.

[0123] According to one embodiment of the invention, a detection rulemay be created that includes one or more of the following parameters:

[0124] Probability of Intercept (Pd). This defines the probability orconfidence that the signal will be detected within the desired timeperiod, expressed in a number of scan periods (“paints”) or clock time.

[0125] Turn-on Range. Maximum range from the receiver at which thesignal becomes interesting to the receiver.

[0126] Detect-by Range. Minimum range by which detection is required tohave occurred at least once.

[0127] Tolerance. Enumerated type to select observation time astime-of-flight between turn-on and detect-by ranges; number of scanperiods; time; or the larger of time/scan periods.

[0128] Tolerance Direction. Indicates whether a tolerance is appliedprior to or following the detect-by range.

[0129] Scan Periods. Indicates the number of emitter “paints” orilluminations that are allowed for observation prior to detection.

[0130] Time. Indicates the amount of time allowed for observation priorto detection.

[0131] Cumulative Pd flag. Enables Cumulative Pd logic. This logicbasically accounts for any signal amplitude change as range changes fromturn-on to detect-by ±tolerance. Amplitude may be considered constant ascomputed at turn-on range when the flag is false.

[0132] These parameters may be used to establish the geometry betweenthe receiver and the emitter, and ultimately compute the requiredrevisit time for each detection method of the receiver. Multiple sets ofdetection rules may be used, because an operator may have differentscenarios in mind. For example, six sets of rules may be supported. Thelimit of the number of allowed rule sets may be set by human factors.The operator does not have to populate all six sets, but may choose topopulate sets one through six, in any order. To support the multiplerules, two additional parameters may be added to the database peremitter, emitter mode definition:

[0133] Chosen Rule. This parameter allows the operator to pick aparticular detection rule set, and allows a detection system (e.g.,system 201) to resolve a solution across the detection rules. Therefore,an operator has the flexibility to choose certain rules to be used for aparticular emitter.

[0134] Cross Rule Relation. This parameter allows the operator to guidethe detection system to the appropriate rule:

[0135] Do not scan for the emitter mode at all (overrides all detectionrules).

[0136] Assign a minimum cost, default revisit time (overrides alldetection rules).

[0137] Evaluate all populated rules, and select the most difficultacross the detection methods.

[0138] Evaluate all populated rules, and select the least difficultacross the detection methods.

[0139] Given a set of data (the set referred to hereinafter as “DATA”)specified by a matrix of emitter parameters (e.g., the informationmatrix) including multiple intercept rules, one example method forevaluating the detection rule sets may be performed as follows:

[0140] 1. Loop on each row (emitter) in set DATA.

[0141] 2. If the value of the Cross Rule Relation parameter indicates“Do Not Scan”, skip processing of this emitter.

[0142] 3. If the value of the Cross Rule Relation parameter indicates“Default”, then assign default parameters.

[0143] 4. If the value of the Chosen Rule parameter indicates a specificdetection rule set, process the selected rule set for the emitter.

[0144] 5. Otherwise, there are multiple detection rule sets to evaluatethe row:

[0145] a. For each populated detection rule set, replicate the emitterrow and process the rule set for the new row.

[0146] b. For each replicated row, assign a common identifier (e.g., atracking index) to identify the replicated data set.

[0147] c. Compute the information matrix for DATA, including thereplicated rows. This will result in the computation of Revisit Time(RVT) for each receiver detection method for each row (original andreplicated).

[0148] d. Using the common identifier (e.g., the tracking index),identify the unique sets of RVT data that resulted from the multiplerule sets. This data can be visualized as a matrix of RVT values, whereeach column represents a detecting method, and each row represents theemitter evaluated for each rule. The data may be consolidated into asingle set of RVTs based on the Cross Rule Relation selection (Most orLeast Difficult) using the following procedure:

[0149] i. If “Least Difficult” selected, then

[0150] 1. Ignore rows with all zero values (i.e., no detection usingsuch rules possible).

[0151] 2. If there are rows with all non-zero values, select these.Otherwise use all remaining rows.

[0152] 3. Loop through the columns in increasing sensitivity order.

[0153] a. Identify the row with a unique maximum RVT value. If found,this is the row with the easiest solution.

[0154] b. If all columns are checked and the no unique maximum is found,select the first row found on the last “pass” as the least difficultsolution.

[0155] ii. If “Most Difficult” selected, then

[0156] 1. Ignore rows with all zero values (i.e., no detection usingsuch rules possible).

[0157] 2. If there are rows with all non-zero values, select these.Otherwise use all remaining rows.

[0158] 3. Loop through the columns in increasing sensitivity order.

[0159] a. Identify the row with a unique non-zero minimum RVT value. Iffound, this is the row with the most difficult solution.

[0160] b. If all columns are checked and the no unique minimum is found,select the first row found on the last “pass” as the most difficultsolution.

[0161] iii. Insert the selected RVT data into the information matrix,replacing the data of one of the elements of the common tracking indexset, and deleting the remaining replicated data of the tracking indexset.

[0162] In this manner, rules may be used by an operator to control howthe system prioritizes and monitors emitters of interest. That is, theoperator is provided the capability of determining which emitters and inwhat priority these emitters are detected. These rules may also used bya detection system to automatically prioritize emitters when determininga scan solution.

[0163] Multiple Hardware Configuration Evaluation

[0164] As discussed above, a system according to one embodiment of theinvention may be capable of determining more than one scan solution tosatisfy a given set of emitters. Similarly, there may be multiplehardware settings that satisfy a given dwell solution.

[0165] In conventional systems, there is typically one hardwareconfiguration appropriate for signal sampling. According to oneembodiment of the invention, a system may be provided (e.g., system 215)that allows an operator to set alternate sampling configurations whichprovide equivalent representations of the intercepted signal. Thus, inone embodiment of the invention, representations of multiple hardware(HW) configurations per emitter mode may be used, and the mostappropriate hardware configuration for the intercepting dwell may beselected. In one embodiment, configurations may be created and stored inthe emitter database (e.g., information matrix) where they can be usedlater in determining an optimum dwell set.

[0166] According to one embodiment, the system may define one set ofhardware settings for a particular receiver. This capability may beexpanded, for example, to multiple sets of hardware settings. Thisadditional capability may be useful, for example, for allowing theoperator to define and make a final selection from the multiple sets ofhardware settings that satisfy the dwell solution. For instance,different emitters may demand conflicting hardware settings, andallowing an operator to choose among multiple configurations can avoidsuch hardware conflicts. Conflicts may, for example, be flagged by thedetection system as errors. However, because the detection system iscapable of determining multiple set of hardware settings to choose from,the possibility that a conflict exists is less likely to occur.

[0167] Optionally, the detection system may be configured to presentand/or select from multiple hardware configurations that do not haveconflicts. For example, a cost may be associated with each hardwareconfiguration, and the most appropriate configuration may be selectedbased on its comparative cost with other hardware configurations. Otherways of selecting optimum hardware configurations may be used, and theinvention is not limited to any particular selection method. Forexample, the configuration that requires the smallest dwell duration maybe preferred over other configuratives.

[0168] A hardware configuration may include various hardware controlsthat are configured to operate the receiver hardware. These controls mayinclude, for example, a set of controls referred hereinafter to asdiscrete controls. Examples of discrete controls may include:

[0169] POP Control. A boolean value that enables/disables hardwarereceiver function.

[0170] Chop Control. An enumerated value that allows the operator tochoose among discrete values for “chopping” the incoming signal as wellas disabling the chop control. This control allows the operator to chopthe incoming signal into pulses.

[0171] There may be, for example, sets of other controls that correspondto filtering operations that affect how a pulse train of the receivedemitter signal may be perceived by upstream receiver components (e.g.,software used to analyze the received pulse train). The operator maywish to control how the received signal is processed by these upstreamcomponents. A set of controls referred to hereinafter as range controlsmay be provided and this control capability may include, for example,one or more of the following controls:

[0172] Doppler Trigger Count (min/max values). Upper and lower bounds ofacceptable pulse counts which may trigger doppler processing.

[0173] Pulse Grouping Interval (min/max values). Upper and lower boundsof acceptable pulse interval timing that allow correct pulse repetitioninterval (PRI) measurements.

[0174] As discussed above in creation and evaluation of multipleintercept rules, the emitter database 210 is expanded to allow multiplesets of rules per emitter data element, and the operator may populateone or more of the sets with rules. Likewise, multiple hardwareconfiguration settings (e.g., may be defined and stored by the detectionsystem in emitter database 210 used to determine the optimum hardwaresolution.

[0175] Determining Conflicts

[0176] To understand how conflicts occur, it is necessary to understandhow the emitter signals are observed and processed. For example, in theN×M information matrix discussed above, MDT for an emitter may bedefined minimally as one Pulse Repetition Interval (PRI), and EDT may bedefined as N*PRI of the signal represented in a row. This signifies thatthe detection system executes the dwell every RVT, and “sits” there fora period of the MDT to observe one pulse. If nothing is detected, thesystem moves onto the next dwell in the sequence and “sits” for a periodof MDT. However, if pulse activity is detected, then the dwell extendsobservation of the signal up to EDT to collect the desired number ofpulses (N). N may be chosen based on signal processing considerations,and may range, for example, between 3 and 20 pulses, although otherminimum and maximum values may be used. Considerations for determiningthe minimum number of pulses include averaging measurements made on eachpulse; the maximum number of pulses may define the volume of datarequired to analyze the signal, as necessary.

[0177] As discussed above, the MDT may be minimally one PRI, but thereare exceptions that may alter this relation. Therefore, there aremultiple pairs of MDT/EDT, and these pairs of MDT/EDT are driven bymultiple pairs of “Pulse Sort Sets” PD_Trigger/Intra_Group ranges,respectively. These ranges provide a set of valid signal conditioningoptions that may be selected for the dwell to process the signalcorrectly. Pulses may be transmitted in groups, and the receiver wouldlike to define PRI as the time from “first pulse in group” to next“first pulse in group” to make signal processing easier.

[0178] The Intra_Group parameter shown in FIG. 7 defines the “PRI” rangeover which pulses may be grouped; the PD_Trigger parameter defines theexpected number of pulses in a group. Particular values selected forthese ranges may alter the corresponding values of MDT/EDT. Problemsarise when “real” PRIs of one emitter fall into the grouping range ofanother. In that case, the trigger count may be exceeded. The receivermay be configured to recognize this and may modify the grouping logic,but depending on implementation, may need to collect an additionalPD_Triggers worth of pulses. In this case, MDT actually may representthe time it takes for the detection system to collect an additionalbatch of pulses.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 8, “Pulse Sort Sets” are used to condition thepulse train for signal processing, particularly with respect topulse-grouped signals. The consequence of this, however, is that it ispossible for pulse sort values to satisfy one emitter and conflict withanother. Hence, multiple hardware configurations may be supported. Thesettings that satisfy all or most of the signals may be selected (e.g.,by the detection system or alternatively by the operator). The detectionsystem may also display an error if not emitters all can be satisfied.Multiple Pulse Sort Sets lead to corresponding MDT/EDT sets, the effectof the Pulse Sort Sets may cause more pulses to be collected per dwell.

[0180] The following are several examples illustrating how conflicts canarise and be detected by a detection system:

EXAMPLES

[0181] The POP Boolean control is either on or off, so conflicts arehandled by sorting dwells around the conflict, or if that is notpossible, flagging the conflict. This is illustrated by the followingexample:

[0182] Emitter #1 Frequency range: 1500-2000 MHz, POP On (normal case).Emitter #2 Frequency range: 2050-2550 MHz. POP Off (for some receivers,this is required for AM pulses, since the assumption of “square” pulsesis not true, and may cause multiple encoding if POP is left enabled).

[0183] Assume a detecting bandwidth of 1000 MHz and 250 MHz. Anysolution that attempts to include the emitters in the same dwell willcause a conflict to be detected. Such solutions are not favored by thedwell placement methods described below, which should find at least two1000 MHz dwells at bandwidths 1000-2000 and 2050-3050. These two dwellsavoid the conflict. If there is no gap between the dwells, or ifadditional conflict exists, then the 1000 MHz dwell may not be allowed.

[0184] For instance, expanding on the previous example, add an Emitter#3 with Pop On and a frequency range 1000-1450 MHz. There is no 1000 MHzemitter, so therefore their may be a conflict-free solution to coveremitter #2, so one viable solution would include creating a dwell atbandwidth 450-1450, another at 2050-3050 and a pair of 250 MHz dwells tocover emitter #2, at bandwidths 1500-1750, 1750-2000.

[0185] Therefore, for the Boolean conflict discussed above, the processwill end up finding any “gaps” between the conflicts and attempts tobuild dwells above and below the gaps to separate the emitters. Thiscannot be done in every case, and certainly cannot be done if theconflicting emitters overlap in frequency.

[0186] If the conflict cannot be avoided, the conflict may be recordedfor the operator, since it might be possible to alter the emitterrepresentation. If the operator cannot alter the representation, thenthe dwell solution will be redundant in the overlap range, with at leastone dwell each tailored to solve the conflict. Building on the previousexample, assume emitter #2 was identical to emitter #1 1500-2000, butPOP is still off, and there is no emitter #3. Then two 1500-2500 MHzdwells are created, one with POP on and one with POP off, and an erroris logged. A 3^(rd) dwell is still needed to cover emitter #1.

[0187] Chop is an enumerated type of short, long and “don't care”. Ifall emitters are “don't care” then the default value, usually short, isassigned. The expectation is that most emitters are “don't care”, soselection of a value other than the default is driven by the “rare”emitter that wants “long” or “short”. If there is a conflict between“short” and “long”, then the problem is very much like the Boolean POPcase, and is solved the same way: use bandwidths that best isolate theconflicts, and in the absence of being able to do that, create redundantdwells for the conflicting region and log the problem.

[0188] For Doppler_Trigger and Pulse Grouping, the situation has moreoptions. Each of these has an acceptable min/max range from which avalue can be picked. In addition, additional sets of values can beassigned in the database by the operator (e.g., a total of six sets).The system selects a value for each of these fields that satisfies oneof the six sets, favoring the minimum values. Referring below to thefollowing example in Table 1: TABLE 1 Set #1 Set #2 Pulse Pulse PulsePulse Doppler Doppler Group Group Doppler Doppler Group Group EmitterMin Max Min Max Min Max Min Max Emitter #1 2 12 20 μsec  50 μsec Emitter#2 3 15 40 μsec 100 μsec

[0189] In this example, only one set per emitter is defined. Theassigned values for the dwell is 3 and 40 μsec, since these are theminimum values that satisfy both emitters. Now refer to the followingexample below in Table 2: TABLE 2 Set #1 Set #2 Pulse Pulse Pulse PulseDoppler Doppler Group Group Doppler Doppler Group Group Emitter Min MaxMin Max Min Max Min Max Emitter #1  2 12 20 μsec  50 μsec 16 20 20 μsec50 μsec Emitter #2 14 20 40 μsec 100 μsec 22 25 60 μsec 75 μsec

[0190] In the example in Table 2, the numbers are assigned such thatthere is not overlap within a set. In this case, the values 16 and 40μsec satisfy emitter #1, set #2 and Emitter #2, Set #1. These dwellparameters imply that pulse trains with repetition intervals of lessthan 40 μsec are considered pulse grouped, and it may take 16 pulses torecognize a Doppler signal. This is acceptable relative to the database,because this is entered as a valid option. If emitter #1 was by itself,then these numbers could have been reduced to 20 μsec & 2. If there ismore than one viable solution, the one that requires the fewest pulsesand therefore requires the smallest dwell duration is selected.

[0191] If however, no overlap can be found among the hardwareconfigurations, then the solution may be pushed by the improved dwellplacement methods described above to find any frequency “gaps” toexploit. Barring this situation, redundant, overlapped dwells aregenerated to provide coverage and the conflict is logged for theoverlapped region/dwells. One difference here is that the selectedvalues are the ones that satisfy the most emitters. For example, ifthere are 10 emitters and a single set of values for a dwell can satisfy9 of the 10 emitters, that set of dwell parameters is selected, and aseparate dwell is built for the 10^(th), “oddball” emitter.

[0192] Hardware Control Evaluation

[0193] When a dwell is hypothesized for a given frequency range, theemitters within the range to be processed by the dwell may be examinedto establish the HW parameters for the dwell and detect and resolveconflicts. This may be done, for example, in parameter “flexibility”order, beginning with the most flexible parameters, which are the rangecontrols discussed above.

[0194] The dwell is assigned a single value of Trigger Count and asingle value of Grouping Interval. The selected value lies within therange of at least set of the emitter to satisfy the emitter. Inaddition, the Trigger Count and Group Interval are “coupled”, meaningthat both parameters of the set bracket the selected values to “count”.A conflict exists if the selected values do not satisfy any set of atleast one emitter. The selected values are the minimum values thatsatisfy all emitters, or the preponderance of satisfied emitters. Anexample is illustrated in FIG. 2A, where “X” indicates selected dwellvalues. In the example shown, three sets of range control parameters areshown, and dwells are selected that satisfy all emitters.

[0195] Next the discrete controls may be set using the emitters that aresatisfied by the range control selection. Emitters that are indicated as“don't care” for a given parameter do not contribute to that parameter'sselection. Again, the parameter is set to the value that satisfies thepreponderance of the emitters. If all emitters indicate “don't care” fora parameter, then the value is set to a predetermined default value.

[0196] An indication of the number of controls experiencing conflicts iskept. If the dwell is kept as part of the scan strategy, the number ofunresolved conflicts is taken into account in selection of the mostappropriate scan strategy (e.g., the one with the fewest conflicts, thenthe lowest cost).

[0197] The selection process begins by trying to resolve Doppler Count/Pulse Group set first for the preponderance (if not all) of the emittersin the dwell. Mechanically, this may be accomplished by the followingexample:

[0198] 1. Placing each of the sets into a single seven-column matrix,whose seven columns are Doppler min/max and Pulse Count min/max, MDT,EDT and emitter ID, respectively. The Emitter ID field allows thetracking of the multiple to the emitter “owner” of the set. A vector ofunique ID values is saved in the matrix referred to as “ID”.

[0199] 2. Any rows that have unpopulated sets are discarded from thematrix. These are the ones that have zero values in the Doppler/PulseGroup columns. The matrix is now an N row by 7 column matrix.

[0200] 3. Evaluate each Doppler Min (column 1) for containment in eachrange Doppler min≦Doppler Min≦Doppler Max, creating a N×N matrix ofBoolean solutions. Because Doppler Min will always “pass” its own range,the matrix diagonal contains a value of 1. (Note that if all the othermatrix values are zero, PD ranges have no intersection). This may bereferred to as the “I” matrix.

[0201] 4. Create a N×N matrix, which replicates the Emitter ID fieldacross each row (column 7 of the ID matrix created in step 1). Multiplythis matrix by the “I” matrix. The effectively replaces the “1” s inmatrix I with the corresponding ID numbers. Reassign this resultingmatrix to the “I” matrix.

[0202] 5. Loop on each element in the ID vector and test for ID[k]=I.This creates k N×N Boolean arrays. Visualize this as a 3-D array, withN×N being the x-y plane and k is the z-axis.

[0203] 6. OR the 3-D array across the x-axis. This results in a Booleanarray of dimensions N×k. Perform a sum across the columns, creating an Nelement vector. Each element is the count of emitters the Nth Dopplermin/max range solves for.

[0204] 7. Identify the position(s) in the N element vector that has thelargest count. This identifies the row(s) of the multiple column matrixof step 2 that solve Doppler count best. If the “largest count” is notunique in the vector, then select the Doppler count value that is mappedto the smallest MDT value (i.e., basically, sort on column 5).

[0205] 8. Now solve for Pulse Group Interval:

[0206] a. Given the Doppler Count solution of step 7, reduce the7-column matrix of step 2 to the rows that satisfy Doppler min≦DopplerCount≦Doppler Max. This may return all or a subset of the matrix.

[0207] b. Repeat steps 3-7, but extract Pulse Group Interval rather thanDoppler Count.

[0208] 9. Now assign MDT & EDT:

[0209] a. Create another “I” matrix as in step 3 above, which satisfiesthe selected Doppler Count and Pulse Group Interval by evaluating[Doppler min≦Doppler Count≦Doppler Max] AND [Pulse Group min≦PulseGroup≦Pulse Group Max]. Log a conflict if any ID is not satisfied bythis selection. This may be performed, for example, by incrementing aglobal counter that tracks conflicts (e.g., a “Doppler/Pulse Countconflict counter”).

[0210] b. Perform steps 4-6 on this “I” matrix.

[0211] c. Perform step 7 above, but inspect the “I” matrix for anMDT/EDT entry that corresponds to the “largest count”. If the “largestcount” is not unique, then MDT and EDT may be set to the largest valuesin the solution set.

[0212] Step 8 determines the emitters to be solved for, step 9establishes, MDT and EDT. The emitter list is then tested for compatiblePOP and Chop values. The POP and Chop values are set to the values thatsatisfy the most emitters in the set, and any conflicting emitters aredropped from the set. Dwells for these emitters will be build on asubsequent pass. Again, global conflict counters are maintained for POPand Chop.

[0213] As discussed above, cost may be used to determine the mostappropriate scan strategy. A cost may include, for example, overallevaluation of the dwell solution. At the start of the process, theglobal conflict counters are zeroed out. As each dwell is built, dwellparameters, and increments the counters as conflicts are encountered. Atthe completion of each candidate scan table, the cost of dwell execution(Sum of Dwell durations/Revisit times;) and total number of conflicts iscompared to the results of the prior scan table build pass, and the onewith the lesser conflicts is kept as the solution. If the number ofconflicts is equal, then the lesser-cost solution is kept. The lattermay be the typical case, if solutions exist around potential conflicts.

[0214] Real Antenna Data Option

[0215] A detection system that detects one or more emitters may useantenna data that describes the characteristics of various antennas usedby such emitters. This data is then used by a detection system toidentify and classify emitters encountered in the field. Conventionally,antenna measurements are performed which yield such data in a facilityreferred to in the art as an antenna range. An antenna range isgenerally an elaborate and a costly facility (e.g., an antenna range,anechoic chamber, etc.) that isolates an antenna from external energies(e.g., range clutter) and allows for the measurement of antennacharacteristics such as beam width, gain, sidelobe levels, andpolarization of antennas or antenna subsystems over a particularfrequency range. A detection system that uses such data is limited bythe number and type of antennas defined to the detection system, and islimited in identifying antennas that are unknown or are undefined to thedetection system. Further, it is realized that static antennacharacteristics measured using conventional methods do not adequatelydefine all antennas, even of the same type. For instance, two antennasof the same type may have different antenna characteristics which maycause them to be seen by a detection system as different antenna types.

[0216] According to one aspect of the invention, it is realized that itwould be beneficial to use antenna characteristics measured by thedetection system to model antennas. Because antenna models can be“learned” and used by the detection system to detect those antennas, thedetection system capabilities are increased.

[0217] Also, because actual data from antennas measured in the field canbe used by the detection system, the detection system may be moreaccurate as a result. It is realized that conventional databases ofantenna models contain coarse data that describes a particular model,and therefore the detection system is limited to using this coarse datato detect emitters. More particularly, in conventional detectionsystems, models are empirically defined using data supplied byconventional sources (e.g., the RAND Corporation) and a portion of thedata that describes these models is estimated. However, in a system thatcan observe antenna characteristics in the field, the detection systemis not limited to coarse data provided by a static antenna model; thedetection system is capable of determining more accurate models formodeling antennas. For example, measured data may yield models that moreaccurately determine the curvature of an antenna lobe pattern.

[0218] A set of models may be used to compute antenna characteristics asa function of frequency, gain, power, beam width, scan and polarization.Thus, actual antenna gain versus azimuth may be observed by thedetection system (e.g., detection system 201) for several polarizations,and this data may be reduced for antenna modeling purposes.

[0219] The emitter database may include a field that allows thespecification of a location where “real” antenna data can be found forthe emitter. If a location is specified, the “real” antenna data may beaccessed and used instead of the internal antenna model. The antennadata may be one file for several emitter modes, or a unique antenna fileper mode. If data cannot be found or is invalid, an error may be loggedby the detection system and the internal antenna model is used. If datais found, then illumination times may be determined directly from thereal antenna data.

[0220] For example, given a set of data specified by a matrix of emitterparameters (referred to hereinafter in the example below as “DATA”),each row representing an emitter, emitter/mode and set of real data(referred to hereinafter in the example below as “RealData”), specifiedby actual antenna data (e.g., amplitude (dBm) vs time for one or morepolarizations, representing at least one scan period), an example methodfor determining illumination times may be performed as follows (e.g.,when computing RVT for the Nth emitter in DATA):

[0221] 1. If the emitter indicates that RealData is available, accessthe real antenna data file.

[0222] 2. If the file does not exist or has invalid data, log an errorand resume with the internal antenna model.

[0223] 3. Otherwise, proceed to access and process RealData.

[0224] a. The file may contain up to four polarization curves:Horizontal, Vertical, LHC and RHC. Select Horizontal (H) & Vertical (V)if both valid, or Left Hand Circular (LHC) & Right Hand Circular (RHC)if both valid. Otherwise, select the first valid polarization found.

[0225] b. Adjust amplitudes of each valid polarization for frequencydispersion due to the delta between the frequency of the data anddesired frequency of the emitter.

[0226] c. Apply receive antenna polarization loss model to RealData.

[0227] d. If there is more than one polarization, merge the polarizationdata as the larger value for each time point.

[0228] e. Interpolate any missing amplitude points versus time.

[0229] 4. RealData now includes time versus amplitude data. Adjustamplitude for the range dispersion loss.

[0230] 5. For each detection method to be evaluated:

[0231] a. Screen out amplitude points below the method's sensitivity.

[0232] b. Cross-correlate the extended dwell time (EDT) with the data todetermine the unique illumination times (TIB) of the data. Thisbasically “slides” an EDT rectangle cross the data in time, recordingtime above the method's sensitivity level. Each illumination timerepresents a unique intercept opportunity of sufficient duration toconstitute a potential detection. An example shown in FIGS. 10A-10Bshows TIB extraction for two different sensitivity levels that yield twodifferent sets of discrete illuminations (TIBs) to be detected. Time ismeasured at or above a particular sensitivity level, as data below thesensitivity level are ignored.

[0233] c. Scale TIBs to the ratio of recorded scan period to the desiredemitter scan period.

[0234] d. Compute RVT for the detection method (e.g., via themulti-valued illumination time RVT calculation discussed above).

[0235] It should be appreciated that other methods may be used tomeasure and process real data from one or more emitters, and theinvention is not limited to any particular method. In this way, thesystem may use more accurate information that can be measured from realemitters, if that data is available. If real data is not available thedetection system may use empirical data provided by one or more sources.

[0236] Jammer Compatibility

[0237] In one embodiment of the invention, a detection system (e.g.,system 201) may operate in a manner cognizant of on-board active jammers(e.g., Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) systems) for jamming ormisleading enemy weapons, communications, or radar. More specifically,the detection system may take into account the operation of one or morejammers when determining a scan strategy and may optimize jammer bandand intercept band performance as a result. Conventionally, jammers anddetection system hardware operate independently, and therefore, when anactive jammer is operated, a detection system configured to detectemitters within or in proximity of the frequency band in which theactive jammer operates produces a false indication of a threat. Further,because operation of the jammer does not take into account the interceptrequirements of the detection system and therefore the detection systemcannot perform detecting functions in the same frequency bands that thejammer is operating, there is no capability to both detect and jam inthe same frequency range.

[0238] In a detection system (e.g., system 201) that determines anoptimum scan strategy, it may be beneficial to take into accountoperation of a jammer, and determine an alternate scan strategyaccordingly. It is realized that when a jammer is on, the jammer signalaffects the frequency band in which it transmits, and adjacent bands inwhich harmonics are produced by the jammer signal. Also, it is realizedthat for a jammer to be effective, it should be operating ascontinuously as possible, so that it can reduce the possibility that thevehicle in which the detection system exists cannot be detected by athreat that produces an emitter signal to be “jammed.” Thus, it is agoal to minimize the amount of time the jammer is off. However, thisgoal competes with the need for a receiver to operate in the frequencybands affected by the jammer signal, such that the detection system candetect the threat. Therefore, a detection system is provided to balancethe needs of an active jammer to operate effectively, yet allow areceiver to operate within a band affected by the jammer signal.According to one embodiment, scan strategies are determined for bothjamming and non-jam situations.

[0239] To provide this capability, the detection system may be providedseveral additional inputs in addition to the emitters to be detected. Inparticular, this input information defines which bands are affected bythe operation of one or more active jammers. For example, additionalinputs to be used in performing this task include a Jammer BlankingTable, and a Receiver Blanking Table as discussed in more detail below.The capability to generate “dry” (no jam) and “wet” (jamming) scanstrategies for an emitter set may be supported, with separate interceptrules for each.

[0240] A detection system may be switched between “Normal” and “Jammer”modes. When “Jammer” is selected, the following processing changes maybe performed:

[0241] Information Matrix Computation Changes:

[0242] One of the six multiple intercept rules of the database isinterpreted as containing jamming mode intercept rules (referred tohereinafter as “Jamming Mode Intercept Rules”) that determine howemitters affected by the active jammer should be processed when jammingis enabled. By evaluating these Jamming Mode Intercept Rules, a scanstrategy different from the “dry” (no jam) strategy using the sameemitters may be determined.

[0243] A subset of the emitters in the data is identified as the signalsto be targeted by the jammer(s). This, for example, may be operatorinput. This subset has corresponding Revisit Times (RVT) computed usingthe Jamming Mode Intercept rules.

[0244] When establishing minimum Dwell Duration (MDT), for an emitter, afraction of the maximum Pulse Repetition Interval (PRI) may be assignedfor jammer candidates, while the max PRJ is assigned to the remainingemitters. A lower bound can be imposed to ensure that MDT is not toosmall. The goal of a small MDT is to deny the jamming candidatesconsecutive pulses when the jamming is dropped for a receiver “look”.

[0245] To compensate for the fractional MDT's affect on InterceptPerformance, the RVT of the jammer candidates may be scaled byMDT÷maxPRI, with the ratio limited to 1.0.

[0246] These changes allow for computation of dwell parameters forjammer candidates separately, assign a sub-PRI Dwell Duration, and stillmaintain a probability of intercept consistent with the Jammer ModeRules.

[0247] Extract Scan Strategy Changes:

[0248] When in Jammer mode, a Receiver Blanking Table and a JammerBlanking Table are processed. These tables map the frequency ranges toband index numbers, and define which bands are simultaneously affectedby a jammer active in a single band. Two tables are used because thejamming system (e.g., jammer processor 207) and receiving system (e.g.,receiver processor 206) may have different frequency band definitions(e.g., the effects of signals in adjacent bands (coupling) may bedifferent between the two systems).

[0249] When processing a frequency range, the emitters within the rangeare compared to the Receiver Blanking Table. The jamming candidates areidentified for the range. If any emitters are present within the range,or if the Receiver Blanking Table indicates that there adjacentcandidates that affect the range, then the minimum MDT (referred to as“JAMMDT”) of all the related candidates is returned and is used as theMDT solution of the frequency range, replacing the MDT of each emitter.Similarly, the RVT of each updated emitter is scaled by JAMMDT dividedby the original MDT. Once the dwells are built, this allows the jammingin the common bands to be paused for the common minimum time while thereceiver “looks” for the signal(s).

[0250] With the input data now conditioned for the affects of thejamming candidates, the optimum set of dwells may be built.

[0251] The Jammer Blanking Table may be used to map each dwell affectedby the jamming to the jammer bands to exert “look” control. This allowsthe receiver to blank multiple jammer bands for the dwell's “look” time.

[0252] If a receiver frequency range is found to be free of a jammerassignment, then its dwells are built and assigned normally.

[0253] In this manner, the detection system may take into account theoperation of active Jammers when computing a scan strategy.

[0254] Dwell Placement

[0255] As mentioned above, once the information matrix including theemitters of interest is computed, a scan strategy may be extracted fromthe information matrix. The scan strategy is defined by one or moredwells and describes how the receiver's resources may be utilized. It isdesirable for the scan strategy to use these resources efficiently andthe parameters of the dwells which define the scan strategy directlyimpact the efficiency of the scan strategy. A dwell is defined byseveral parameters. These parameters include the frequency range whichthe dwell is intended to cover, the dwell duration (i.e., the amount oftime the receiver spends tuned to that frequency range), and a revisittime (i.e., how often the dwell is executed).

[0256] Thus, for example, when executing a dwell having a frequencyrange of 1100 MHz −1200 MHz, a dwell duration of 10 milliseconds (ms),and a revisit time of 125 ms, the receiver will spend 10 ms tunedbetween 1100 MHz and 1200 MHz. Revisit time is measured from thebeginning of the first execution of the dwell to the beginning of thenext execution of the dwell. After the dwell has completed execution(i.e., after the 10 ms dwell duration has expired), 115 ms will elapsebefore the dwell is executed again. An additional dwell parameter is thedetecting method. The detecting method of a dwell is the IF and VBWfilter bandwidth combination. Each detecting method has an associatedsensitivity. The detecting method affects the frequency range of adwell, as the dwell's maximum frequency range is limited by thebandwidth of the receiver's IF filter. The revisit time of the dwell isalso dependent on the detecting method as a more sensitive detectingmethod will yield a higher probability of detection. Thus, the moresensitive (i.e., smaller bandwidth) detecting method used, the greaterthe revisit time will be.

[0257] An example of a simple scan strategy for detecting two emittersis shown in FIG. 11. The first emitter, emitter 1, operates in thefrequency range of 1000-1200 MHz while the second emitter, emitter 2,operates in the frequency range of 1300-1400 MHz. For the purposes ofthis example, each dwell is assumed to use the same detecting method andthe IF filter of the detecting method is assumed to have a bandwidth of50 MHz. Thus, the frequency range of each dwell is limited to 50 MHz.The scan strategy includes eight dwells. Dwell 1 has a frequency rangeof 1000-1050 MHz. Dwell 2 has a frequency range of 1050-1100 MHz. Dwell3 has a frequency range of 1100-1150 MHz. Dwell 4 has a frequency ofrange of 1150-1200 MHz. Dwell 5 has a frequency range of 1200-1250 MHz.Dwell 6 has a frequency range of 1250-1300 MHz. Dwell 7 has a frequencyrange of 1300-1350 MHz. Dwell 8 has a frequency range of 1350-1400 MHz.Each of the eight dwells has a duration of 25 ms. Because the eightdwells are executed in succession and the process of executing all eightdwells repeats after Dwell 8 is executed, the revisit time of each dwellis 200 ms (8×25). Thus, this scan strategy has the effect ofsequentially stepping through the frequency spectrum from the minimumfrequency of the lowest frequency emitter (i.e., emitter 1) to themaximum frequency of the highest frequency emitter (i.e., emitter 2).

[0258] The pulse repetition interval (PRI) of a signal is the timebetween pulses in the signal of an emitter. As shown in FIG. 11, the PRIof Emitter 1 is 20 ms and the PRI of Emitter 2 is 5 ms. Typically, theminimum dwell duration of a dwell is set to the highest PRI of theemitters that the dwell is intended to detect. This way, the executionof a dwell will not fall in between pulses in the emitters' signals. Inthe example of FIG. 11, because the highest PRI of emitters is 20 ms,(i.e., the PRI of Emitter 1) the minimum dwell duration of the dwells inthe scan strategy should be at least 20 ms.

[0259] While the scan strategy of FIG. 11 is effective, in that it iscapable of detecting both Emitter 1 and Emitter 2, it is not anefficient use of the receiver's resources. Because there is no emitterto be detected that uses the 1200-1300 MHz range, no emitter will bedetected by Dwell 5 and Dwell 6. These two emitters illustrate a problemassociated with sequentially scanning the frequency spectrum. Thisproblem is that the receiver spends time scanning a portion of thefrequency spectrum in which no emitters of interest are operating. Thus,the receiver is wasting time scanning this portion of the spectrum thatcould be used to scan portions of the frequency spectrum in whichemitters of interest are operating. Indeed, Dwell 5 and Dwell 6 couldboth be removed from the scan strategy without reducing the likelihoodof detecting signals from one of the emitters.

[0260] Dwell 7 and Dwell 8 cover the 1300 MHz-1400 MHz portion of thefrequency spectrum. These dwells cover the portion of the frequencyspectrum in which Emitter 2 operates. Removing these dwells from thefrequency spectrum may result in failure to detect signals from Emitter2. However, as discussed above, the dwell duration of both Dwell 7 andDwell 8 is 25 ms, while the PRI of Emitter 2 is 5 ms. Executing a 25 msdwell to detect an emitter signal with a PRI of 5 ms may waste receiverresources as it may not be necessary to wait for 25 ms to detect a pulsefrom Emitter 2. That is, if the dwell duration of Dwells 7 and 8 may bereduced to 5 ms, without the dwell being executed between pulses of thesignal from Emitter 2. This concept is illustrated more fully in FIG.12.

[0261] In FIG. 12, a signal from Emitter 3101 is shown having a PRI of20 ms. Solution 1 shows a dwell in the frequency range of Emitter 3101having a dwell duration of 10 ms and a revisit time of 30 ms. The dwellis initially executed at 5 ms. However, because the duration is only 10ms, dwell execution is completed before the next pulse in the signal ofEmitter 3101. Thus, execution of the dwell falls in between Pulse 1 andPulse 2 of the signal of Emitter 3101. The revisit time of the dwell is40 ms, thus the dwell is “revisited” and again executed at 45 ms. Thistime the dwell falls in between Pulse 3 and Pulse 4 of the signal ofEmitter 3101. As can be seen, unless the timing of execution of thedwell happens, by chance, to line up with the timing of the pulses ofthe signal from the emitter, then it is possible for a dwell, which isotherwise capable of detecting the emitter signal, to fall in betweenpulses of the signal and consequently fail to detect the emitter signal.This problem can be solved by increasing the dwell duration. Forexample, if the minimum dwell duration is as long or longer than the PRIof the emitter signal, then the dwell does not fall in between pulses ofthe signal.

[0262] Solution 2 of FIG. 12 shows an alternate solution where the dwellcovering the frequency range of Emitter 3101 has a duration of 20 ms(i.e., the PRI of Emitter 3101) and a revisit time of 30 ms. The dwellis first executed at 5 ms, however unlike solution 1, execution of thedwell is not complete until 25 ms, thus Pulse 2, which occurs at 20 ms,is detected, as indicated by the asterisk in Solution 2. After 50 ms,the dwell is “revisited” and again executed at 55 ms. This time, Pulse 4is detected by the dwell, as indicted by the asterisk at 60 ms. As canbe seen in the example of FIG. 12, by increasing the minimum dwellduration to the maximum possible PRI of the emitter, execution of thedwell does not slip in between pulse of the emitter signal. In Solution2 of FIG. 12, the dwell duration remains the same whether or not a pulseis detected. As will be discussed later in greater detail, it should beappreciated that dwell duration may be extended if a pulse is detectedduring that dwell (e.g., to verify the presence and othercharacteristics of the emitter signal). It should further be understoodthat there are, however, certain situations in which the duration of adwell may be lower than the maximum possible of PRI of the emitter whichthe dwell covers. Such a situation may occur, for example, when therevisit time of the dwell is short enough that the dwell is adequatelyover-sampled, such that desired probability of detection is notsacrificed. Such a situation will be discussed in detail below.

[0263] Thus, in the example of FIG. 11, it can be seen that theefficiency of the scan strategy may be improved by eliminating Dwells 5and 6 which cover a portion of the frequency spectrum unused by any ofthe emitters of interest. The efficiency can further be improved byreducing the dwell duration of Dwells 7 and 8 to the maximum possiblePRI of Emitter 2. Additionally, each dwell in the scan strategy of FIG.11 uses the same detecting method. As discussed above, by using adifferent detecting method, the frequency range of the dwell as well asthe revisit time of the dwell may be altered. For example, if a moresensitive detecting method were used to create the scan strategy, thefrequency range of each dwell might be decreased, requiring a greaternumber of dwells to cover the entire frequency range of all emitters ofinterest (assuming that each dwell uses the same detecting method).Intuitively, an increased number of dwells results in an increased cost,in terms of the receiver's resources. However, a higher sensitivitydetecting method may also result in an increased revisit time. Theincreased revisit time reduces the cost of executing a dwell andtherefore may offset the cost of the additional dwells and reduce theoverall cost of the scan strategy.

[0264] For example, consider a simplified information matrix 4000 ofFIG. 13. The first column of information matrix shows that there arefour emitters of interest: E1, E2, E3, and E4. Each row of informationmatrix 4000 contains data about one of the emitters. The second andthird columns of the information matrix provide information about therevisit time for a particular detecting method. For example, the secondcolumn provides revisit time information for the detecting method of 250MHz IF/15 MHz VBW. The third column provides revisit time informationfor the detecting method 30 MHz IF/15 MHz VBW. For the purposes ofsimplicity in this example, only two detecting methods are show ininformation matrix 4000. However, it should be appreciated that anyreasonable number of detecting methods may be provided in theinformation matrix. Likewise, although there are only four emitters ofinterest shown in information matrix 4000, any number of emitters ofinterest, such as one, two, three, or five or more emitters may beprovided in the information matrix. It should also be understood thatinformation matrix 4000 has been simplified for the purposes of thisexample and the information matrix may include more information than isshown in FIG. 13.

[0265] In addition to including additional detecting methods andemitters of interest, the information matrix may also include multiplepulse sort sets that contain information used to condition the pulsetrain for signal processing. Because these pulse sort sets affect dwellduration, there may be multiple pairs of minimum dwell duration time(MDT) values and extended dwell duration time (EDT) values. As discussedabove, the MDT value is typically the maximum possible PRI of theemitter. If a pulse is detected during a dwell, the dwell duration maybe extended to collect additional pulses. The more pulses that arecollected, the longer the EDT of the dwell. The number of pulses thatare collected is dependent on the information in the pulse sort set.Thus, depending on which pulse sort set is used the EDT of the dwellwill vary. Thus, for each pulse sort set that is provided in theinformation matrix, they may also be a corresponding MDT/EDT pair.

[0266] Returning to the example of FIG. 13, the third and fourth columnsindicate the frequency range in which the emitter operates. For example,emitter E1 operates between 1000-1300 MHz and emitter E2 operatesbetween 1220-1350 MHz. The last column of information matrix 4000 is theMDT of E1. As mentioned above, the information matrix typically containsan MDT/EDT pair. As will be discussed below in greater detail, the costof executing a dwell is based, in part, upon the duration of that dwell.The actual duration of the dwell may be, for example, MDT or EDT,depending on whether a pulse was detected during execution of the dwell.Thus, one may estimate the actual dwell duration by assuming that acertain number of MDT dwells and EDT dwells will occur. However, for thesake of simplicity, in this example the cost of the dwell will becomputed using only the MDT of the dwell.

[0267] In one embodiment of the invention, the cost to the receiver ofexecuting a dwell is measured by the ratio of dwell duration to revisittime. The cost may be computed by the equation in Table 3. In theequation of Table 3, c represents the cost to the receiver, DD_(MAX)represents the highest dwell duration of all emitters covered by thedwell, and RVT_(MIN) represent the shortest revisit time of all emitterscovered by the dwell. TABLE 3 $c = \frac{{DD}_{MAX}}{{RVT}_{MIN}}$

[0268] For example, suppose that a dwell using Detecting Method 1, 250MHz IF/15 MHz VBW, covered both emitters E1 and E2 of information matrix4000. The dwell duration of emitter E1 is 3 ms, while the dwell durationof emitter E2 is 5 ms. Because emitter E2 has a higher dwell duration,the dwell duration of emitter E2 will be used in computing the cost.However, because the revisit time of emitter E1 (100 ms) is shorter thanthe revisit time of emitter E2 (120 ms), the revisit time of emitter E1will be used in the cost computation, as shown in Table 4. Thus, thecost of a dwell that covers both emitters E1 and E2 is 0.05 or 5%. TABLE4 $\begin{matrix}{{DD}_{MAX} = 5} \\{{RVT}_{MIN} = 100} \\{c = {\frac{5}{100} = {.05}}}\end{matrix}\quad$

[0269] Using a more sensitive detecting method (e.g., Detecting Method2) may decrease the cost of the dwell (i.e., by increasing the value ofRVT_(MIN). However, using a more sensitive detecting method may requirethe use of more dwells to cover the same portion of the frequencyspectrum, due to the decreased bandwidths of the IF and VBW filters.Thus, it is desirable to reduce the cost of a dwell by increasing thesensitivity of the detecting method as much as possible withoutincreasing the number of dwells to the point that the cost of theadditional dwells outweighs the cost savings of using the more sensitivedetecting method. Consider, as an example, constructing a scan strategyfor emitters of information matrix 4000. When one or more dwells havebeen constructed as part of the scan strategy that cover an emitter,that emitter is removed from the information matrix. Thus, as the scanstrategy is constructed, the number of emitters in the informationmatrix will decrease. First, using the first detecting method ininformation matrix 4000 (i.e., 250 MHz IF/15 MHz VBW detecting method),a dwell is constructed for emitter E1. The dwell starts at the minimumfrequency of emitter E1's frequency range (i.e., 1000 MHz) and extendsupwards to the detecting method's maximum frequency. Thus, as shown inSolution 1 of FIG. 14A, which utilizes Detecting Method 1, Dwell 1 iscreated which covers the portion of the frequency spectrum from1000-1250 MHz. Because the frequency range of Emitter E2 overlaps thatof Emitter E1, part of the frequency range Emitter 2 is also covered byDwell 1. Thus, this dwell may be used to cover part of the frequencyrange of Emitter E1 and Emitter E2. As a result, the cost of Dwell 1 isthe ratio of the maximum dwell duration between Emitter E1 and EmitterE2 to the minimum revisit time of those two emitters. Thus, as shown inFIG. 14A, the cost of this dwell is 5/100 or 0.05.

[0270] Solution 2 illustrates the cost of covering the same frequencyrange with a higher sensitivity detecting method. In Solution 2,Detecting Method 2 (i.e., 30 MHz IF/15 MHz VBW) is used to cover theportion of the frequency spectrum ranging from 1000 MHz to 1270 MHz.Because of the smaller bandwidth of this detecting method, more dwellsare needed to cover the same portion of the frequency spectrum. However,because the revisit time associated with the more sensitive detectingmethod is greater than that of the less sensitive detecting method, thecost per dwell is reduced. In Solution 2, Dwells 1-7 cover only EmitterE1 because Emitter E2 does not operate in the frequency range covered byDwells 1-7. Thus, Dwells 1-7 have a DD_(MAX) of 3 ms and a RVT_(MIN) of650 ms. As a result, the cost of each of Dwells 1-7 is 3/650. However,Dwells 8 and 9 cover both Emitter E1 and Emitter E2, thus the DD_(MAX)of these dwells is 5 (i.e., the MDT of Emitter E2) and the RVT_(MIN) is650 ms (i.e., the RVT of Emitter E1). Thus, the cost of each of Dwells 8and 9 is 5/650. As shown in Table 5, the total cost is 31/650 orapproximately 0.048. TABLE 5${{7( \frac{3}{650} )} + {2( \frac{5}{650} )}} = {\frac{31}{650} \approx {.048}}$

[0271] Thus, in the example of FIG. 14A, the more sensitive detectingmethod yields a lower total cost. However, in some situations the lesssensitive detecting method yields a lower total cost. For example,Solution 1 of FIG. 14B shows a dwell constructed to cover part ofEmitter E3 of FIG. 13 using Detecting Method 1. This dwell, Dwell 1 ofSolution 1, ranges from the minimum frequency of Emitter E3 (i.e., 1510MHz) to the maximum frequency of the detecting method (i.e., 1760 MHz).Dwell 1 also covers part of the frequency spectrum in which Emitter E4operates, thus the dwell durations and revisit times of both Emitters E3and E4 may be taken into account when determining the cost of the dwell.As a result, DD_(MAX) is 4 ms and RVT_(MIN) is 330 ms, yielding a dwellcost of approximately 0.012 for Dwell 1.

[0272] Solution 2 covers the same portion of the frequency spectrumusing the more sensitive detecting method, Detecting Method 2. In thiscase, nine Detecting Method 2 dwells are needed to cover the sameportion of the frequency spectrum as one Detecting Method 1 dwell. InSolution 2, Dwells 1-7 cover only Emitter E3, as Emitter E4 does notoperate in the portion of the frequency spectrum covered by Dwells 1-7(i.e., 1510 MHz-1720 MHz). Thus, the cost of each of Dwells 1-7 iscomputed using a DD_(MAX) of 2 ms and an RVT_(MIN) of 330 ms (i.e., theminimum dwell duration and revisit time of Emitter E3). However, Dwells8 and 9 cover portions of the frequency spectrum that may be used byboth Emitters E3 and E4. Thus, the cost of each of Dwells 8 and 9 iscomputed using a DD_(MAX) of 4 ms (i.e., the dwell duration of EmitterE4) and an RVT_(MIN) of 330 ms (i.e., the revisit time of Emitter E3).As shown in Table 6, the total cost of these nine dwells isapproximately 0.06. In this case, a single lower sensitivity dwell(i.e., Solution 1) yields a lower cost than multiple higher sensitivitydwells (i.e., Solution 2). TABLE 6${{7( \frac{2}{330} )} + {2( \frac{4}{330} )}} = {\frac{22}{330} \approx {{.0}\overset{\_}{6}}}$

[0273] Therefore, when extracting a scan strategy from the informationmatrix, it is desirable to determine which detecting method yields thelowest cost for a particular dwell or set of dwells. It should beappreciated that in the example shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B the dwellsconstructed (in both Solution 1 and Solution 2) did not cover the entirefrequency range in which each of the emitters, E1, E2, E3, and E4operates. To completely cover the entire frequency range of each ofthese emitters, it may be necessary to construct additional dwells. Inone embodiment of the invention, the information matrix is updated basedon what portion of the frequency spectrum of an emitter in the matrixhas been covered by a dwell. When the information matrix is empty, thenall emitters have been completely covered by dwells and the scanstrategy is complete.

[0274] For example, in FIG. 14A, assume that the scan strategy usesSolution 2 (i.e., the lower cost solution) and Dwells 1-9 of Solution 2are constructed. Information Matrix 4000 of FIG. 13 may be updated asfollows. The RF Min values for Emitter E1 may be changed to 1270 MHz,because the 1000-1270 MHz range is covered by Dwells 1-9. Similarly, theRF Min value of Emitter E2 may be changed 1270 MHz because the 1220-1270MHz range is been covered by Dwells 8 and 9. When additional dwells areconstructed to cover the remaining portion of the frequency range ofthese two emitters, these two emitters may be removed from InformationMatrix 4000.

[0275] The examples in FIGS. 14A and 14B compute the cost of a dwellunder the assumption that dwell duration will always be MDT_(MAX), thatis, the dwell duration will be the maximum PRI of the emitters coveredby that dwell. However, as mentioned above, in certain situations theactual dwell duration may be longer than MDT_(MAX). These situations mayoccur, for example, where a pulse is detected during a dwell. If a pulseis detected, the dwell duration may be extended based on the computedEDT. Thus, when a pulse is detected during a dwell, the cost of thatdwell may be increased if the dwell duration is extended from MDT toEDT. Thus, it may be desirable to take into account the occurrence ofsome EDT dwells when computing cost while extracting the scan strategy.In one embodiment of the invention, a steady state model may be used,where it is assumed that a certain number of EDT dwells and a certainnumber of MDT dwells will be executed over a specific period of time. Ifthis specific period of time is called exam_time, then Table 7 shows anequation for estimating the number of MDT dwells and EDT dwells thatwill occur in that period of time. The number of MDT dwells executed forevery EDT dwell. The variable RVT represents the revisit time of thedwell. TABLE 7${Count} = \lbrack \frac{Exam\_ Time}{RVT} \rbrack$

[0276] In the equation of Table 7, Count is defined as Exam_Time dividedby the revisit time of the dwell, RVT. The value of Exam_Time may beselected, for example, based on the signal processing algorithms usedand the overall affect of the signal environment, based on field tests.Once Count has been determined by the equation in Table 7, an ActualDwell Duration may be expressed as a weighted average of MDT and EDT, asshown in the equation of Table 8. TABLE 8${{Actual\_ Dwell}{\_ Duration}} = \frac{( {{TO} + {EDT}} ) + {( {{Count} - 1} ) \times K \times ( {{TO} + {MDT}} )}}{Count}$

[0277] The equation of Table 8 computes this weighted average, assumingsome tuning overhead (TO), or dead time between dwells, as a result oftuning the receiver. The constant K, in the equation, accounts formultiple fields of view per dwell cycle. It should be appreciated thatthe equations of Table 7 and Table 8 are merely an example of method forestimating actual dwell duration to determine dwell cost. Many othermethods for estimating actual dwell duration may be used and areintended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0278] In the example of FIG. 14A, as mentioned above, the first dwellor set of dwells was created starting with the lowest RF Min value inInformation Matrix 4000 of FIG. 13. However, if the lowest RF Min valuein the information Matrix is used to construct the initial dwell, otherpossible scan strategies, which may or may not yield a lower cost, maynot be considered. For example, FIG. 17 shows two emitters, E1 and E2.Emitter E1 has an RF Min value of 1100 MHz and an RF Max value of 1200MHz. Emitter E2 has an RF Min value of 1150 MHz and an RF Max value of1250 MHz. Suppose the initial dwell is constructed using the lowestvalue of RF Min, when constructing a scan strategy for Emitters E1 andE2. Scan strategy 7001 is one possible scan strategy that may resultfrom using the lowest value of RF Min to construct the initial dwell. Inthis example, Dwell 1, which uses detecting method M1, covers the1100-1200 MHz range. The remaining portion of the frequency spectrum inwhich emitter E2 may operate is covered by Dwell 2 and Dwell 3 whichuses a greater sensitivity detecting method, M2. Scan strategy 7002,which might yield a lower cost than scan strategy 7001, depending ondwell parameters, would not be considered if the lowest value RF Min(1100 MHz) was initially used. When initially using the lowest value RFMin, even if it had been decided to use the greater sensitivity method,M2, at the bottom of the frequency spectrum, four M2 dwells would havebeen constructed. Then, the remaining portion of the frequency spectrumused by emitter E2 would have been covered by additional dwells (e.g.,one M1 dwell or two M2 dwells).

[0279] However, by altering the frequency at which the initial dwell isconstructed, other possible scan strategies may be constructed. Forexample, suppose that the initial dwell is constructed using the RF Minof emitter E2 (i.e., 1150 MHz). A scan strategy such as scan strategy7003 may result. In scan strategy 7003, the initial dwell, Dwell 1, usesdetecting method M1 and covers the 1150-1250 MHz range. Because theinformation matrix would not be empty after the construction of Dwell 1,Dwells 2 and 3 may be constructed to cover the portion of the frequencyspectrum in which emitter E1 operates, but which is not covered byDwell 1. Thus, by varying the RF Min at which the initial dwell isconstructed, different lower cost scan strategies may result.

[0280] A flow chart for constructing scan strategies with varyinginitial RF Min values, according to one embodiment of the invention, isshown in FIG. 15. At act 5001, a Limit Vector is created. The LimitVector is a vector of each of the RF Min values in the informationmatrix. Thus, for the two emitters, E1 and E2 in FIG. 17, the LimitVector would be, for example, [1100 1150], because the RF Min value foremitter E1 is 1100 and the RF Min value for emitter E2 is 1150. Also atact 5001, a variable n is initialized to 1. The variable n representsthe current position in the Limit Vector on which the process isoperating. Thus, initially the process operates on the first value inthe Limit Vector.

[0281] The process then continues to act 5002, where a variable LIMIT isdefined as the nth element in the Limit Vector. Because n initially hasthe value 1, LIMIT is first set as the first element in the LimitVector. Using the example of FIG. 17, with emitters E1 and E2, LIMITwould first be set to 1100. The process then continues to act 5003,where the scan strategy is extracted using the value of LIMIT. As willbe discussed in greater detail below, extracting the scan strategyincludes building dwells to cover the emitters in the information matrixand evaluating different the cost of using different detecting methodsfor these dwells.

[0282] Next the process continues to act 5004 where the cost of the scanstrategy is compared to the cost of BEST, which is the scan strategywhich has the lowest cost so far. BEST is initialized to a scan strategyhaving infinite cost, so the first scan strategy extracted at act 5003will be lower in cost than BEST. If the cost of the extracted scanstrategy is lower than the cost BEST, then the extracted scan strategyis saved as BEST and the process continues to act 5006. If the extractedscan strategy is not lower in cost than BEST, then act 5005 is skippedand the process continues directly to act 5006. At act 5006 it isdetermined if LIMIT is the last element in the Limit Vector. If LIMIT isthe last element in the Limit Vector, then the scan strategy BEST isreturned as the scan strategy to be used for the emitters in theinformation matrix. If LIMIT is not the last element in the LimitVector, the value of n is incremented by one, and the process returns toact 5002. At act 5002 LIMIT is redefined as the next element in theLimit Vector and the process repeats using this new LIMIT value.

[0283] In the example of FIGS. 14A and 14B, the initial detecting methodused to create a dwell was the lowest sensitivity, widest bandwidth,detecting method. Then, the greater sensitivity detecting method wasevaluated to see if it yielded a lower cost for a dwell or set of dwellshaving a bandwidth defined by the lowest sensitivity detecting method.Thus, the number of dwells needed for the greater sensitivity detectingmethod was based on this initial bandwidth of the lowest sensitivitydetecting method. It has been recognized that in some situations, thecost of a scan strategy may be reduced if the initial bandwidth isvaried from that of the lowest sensitivity detecting method. The costmay be reduced because each detecting method may differ in instantaneousfrequency coverage and sensitivity, which in turn alters the mix ofemitters in the database which may be satisfied by a dwell having afrequency range based on the bandwidth of the detecting method. That is,if one were to assume that the lowest sensitivity detecting method wasnot available, then a lower cost scan strategy may result from using thebandwidth of the next greatest sensitivity detecting method as theinitial bandwidth. That is, the method for extracting a scan strategymay loop on all available detecting methods, progressively inhibitingdetecting methods. This may be done for each value of the Limit Vector.That is, each time the process in FIG. 15 extracts a scan strategy atact 5003 (i.e., with a different value for LIMIT), the loop on detectingmethods may be performed. As a result, a total of M×N scan strategiesmay be generated, where M represents the number of elements in theMethod Vector and N represent the number of elements in the LimitVector.

[0284] A process for looping on detecting methods, according to oneembodiment of the invention, is shown in FIG. 18. At Act 8001 a MethodVector is created. The Method Vector is a vector of all detectingmethods, ordered from lowest sensitivity to greatest sensitivity. Thevariable m which represents the current position in the Method Vector isinitialized to one. The variable LOWEST which represents the scanstrategy with the lowest cost so far is initialized to a scan strategyhaving a cost of infinity. The process then continues to act 8003, wherethe variable METHOD is defined as the m^(th) value in the Method Vector.As m is initialized to one, METHOD will initially be the first value inthe Method Vector. At act 8005, the Create Dwell Set Process is invokedto create the dwell set using METHOD as the initial detecting methodthat defines the initial bandwidth. As will be discussed in greaterdetail below, The Create Dwell Set Process also uses the current valueof LIMIT as determined in the flow chart of FIG. 15. If it is decidednot to loop on LIMIT values (e.g., to omit the process of FIG. 15), thenCreate Dwell Set Process may simply uses the lowest RF Min value in theinformation matrix instead of LIMIT. As will also be discussed below,when the Create Dwell Set Process evaluates various detecting methods,the initial dwells will be created using the detecting method specifiedby METHOD. The cost of using METHOD will then be compared to all ofusing all the greater sensitivity detecting methods to cover thatportion of the frequency spectrum.

[0285] After the dwell set is created, the process continues to act8007, where the cost of the created dwell set is compared to the cost ofLOWEST. If the cost of the created dwell set is less than the cost oflowest, the process continues to act 8009 where the created dwell set issaved as LOWEST. It should be appreciated that the first time a dwellset is created (i.e., before the process loops back at act 8013), thecreated dwell set will have a lower cost than LOWEST, as LOWEST wasinitialized to a dwell set having infinite cost.

[0286] If the created dwell set does not have a lower cost than LOWEST,the process continues directly to act 8011. At act 8011 it is determinedif METHOD is the last detecting method in the Method Vector. If so, thenat act 8015 the scan strategy LOWEST is returned. Otherwise, m isincremented by one, and the process returns to act 8003, and repeatedusing the next value in the Method Vector.

[0287] As mentioned above, when creating a dwell set at act 8005, it isdesirable to determine which detecting method yields the lowest cost fora dwell or set of dwells. FIG. 16 shows an example Create Dwell SetProcess for performing act 8005 according to one embodiment of theinvention. At act 6001 the variable MinFREQ is set to the current valueof LIMIT. The process continues to act 6003, where set D is defined asthe “core” emitters based on MinFREQ and METHOD.

[0288] The core emitters may be determined as follows. First, MaxFREQmay defined as the maximum frequency of METHOD starting at MinFREQ andextending upwards. Then the set of emitters INTERNAL may be defined asall of the rows (i.e., emitter modes) in the information matrix thathave a frequency range (i.e., RF Min and RF Max) completely containedwithin MinFREQ and MaxFreq of METHOD. The set EXTERNAL may be defined asthe rows of the information matrix whose frequency contains the entirefrequency range of MinFreq to MaxFreq. That is, the frequency range ofMETHOD, starting at MinFREQ, is completely contained with the RF Min andRF Max of each emitter mode in the set EXTERNAL. Set D may be defined asthe union of the sets EXTERNAL and INTERNAL. The emitters in set Drepresent the “core” emitters.

[0289] Emitters may then be pre-filtered out of set D, if METHOD is apoor choice for detecting these emitters. Each emitter mode has apre-filtering flag associated with each detecting method. Thus, forexample, if there are eight detecting methods, there would be eightpre-filtering flags for each row (i.e., each emitter mode) in theinformation matrix. If the pre-filtering flag for associated with aparticular detecting method is false, then the flag indicates that thedetecting method is a poor choice for solving for that emitter mode.

[0290] The flags may be set by computing the cost of each of themethods, multiplied by the number of dwells required to cover the row'sfrequency range. If there is no difference in cost, all methods for arow remain enabled. If there is a big difference in cost, then themethod is a candidate to be filtered out via the flags. However, adetecting method may only be filtered out via the flags if the cost ofother rows within the IF bandwidth of the method are not similar (orgreater in cost) than the given method. By pre-filtering out somedetecting methods, the algorithm reduces the amount of computationnecessary to find a highly cost effective solution by eliminatingdetecting methods which are unlikely to yield satisfactory solutions forparticular emitters.

[0291] Each time a dwell is built, the flags may be recomputed. This maybe necessary because the dwell may have removed adjacent rows from theinformation matrix or the frequency range of the row may have be reducedbecause the dwell that was just built covered part of the frequencyrange of that row. Reducing the frequency range of row alters the costof the detecting methods. Also, after a dwell is built, a check may bemade to see if any of the pre-filtered out rows are incidentally coveredby the dwell. If they are, then they may included in that dwell anywayand removed from the information matrix. Thus, pre-filtering ofdetecting methods may help set up the solution search, but does notnecessarily prevent a method from being used.

[0292] After pre-filtering has been applied to set D, removing any rowsfrom the set D which are a poor choice for METHOD, the process continuesto act 6005 where any “free” overlapping emitters may be added to set D.At act 6005, sets HIGHOVERLAP and LOWOVERLAP may be defined. SetHIGHOVERLAP includes rows of the information matrix that have an RF Minvalue greater than MinFREQ and less than MaxFREQ, but have an RF Maxvalue greater than MaxFREQ. LOWOVERLAP includes rows of the informationmatrix that have an RF Max value greater than MinFREQ and less thanMaxFREQ, but have an RF Min value less than MinFREQ. The rows inHIGHOVERLAP and LOWOVERLAP may be termed “overlapping” emitters becausethe frequency range of these emitters overlaps the frequency range ofMETHOD, defined by MinFREQ and MaxFREQ. A row in one of these two setsmay be added to D if that row would not drive the dwell parameters(i.e., if the dwell duration is less than DD_(MAX) of the rows in D andrevisit time greater than the RVT_(MIN) of the rows in D).

[0293] However, a row in of these two sets may be added to D even if therow would drive the dwell parameters, as long as overall dwell countwould not increase. For example, if an emitter's frequency rangeoverlaps with the upper part of the frequency range of METHOD (i.e., anemitter in HIGHOVERLAP), and if this overlapping emitter's frequencyrange needs two dwells to provide coverage of the entire frequencyrange, and the emitter's frequency range is overlapping METHOD'sfrequency range by at least half of the emitter's frequency range, thisemitter may be added in to set D. As a result, only one additional dwellwill be needed at a later time to cover the rest of the emitter'sfrequency range. However, if the overlap was only ten percent, there isno reason to include this emitter in set D, because two dwells willstill be generated at a later time to cover the remaining ninetypercent.

[0294] At this point, any emitters in set D which have conflictinghardware controls may be removed from set D. That is, set D may beredefined as the largest subset of set D which has no hardware controlsconflicts. The process then continues to act 6007 where set DX isdefined. DX includes any emitters that are in the frequency range of D,but are not detectable by detecting method METHOD (i.e., due topre-filtering, hardware conflicts, etc.) After set DX is defined theprocess continues to act 6009. At act 6009, it is determined whichdetecting method, of greater sensitivity than METHOD, yields the lowestcost for DX. This detecting method may be called M2. Finding M2 may beaccomplished by evaluating the cost of each detecting method forcovering the desired frequency range, as in the examples of FIGS. 14Aand 14B. It should be appreciated that, as in the examples of FIGS. 14Aand 14B, the greater sensitivity detecting method may require more thanone dwell to cover the frequency range of the emitters in set DX. Itshould further be understood that in the examples of FIGS. 14A and 14B,for the sake of simplicity, only two detecting methods were evaluated todetermine which detecting method yielded the lowest cost. However, manymore detecting methods could be used for a dwell. In one embodiment ofthe invention up to eight detecting methods are available, although anysuitable number of detecting methods could be used, as the invention isnot limited in this respect.

[0295] The process next continues to act 6011 where Cost 1 is defined asthe cost of using METHOD as the detecting method for the emitters in setD plus the cost of using detecting method M2 for the emitters in set DX.After Cost 1 is computed, the process continues to act 6012, where thedetecting method, of greater sensitivity than METHOD, that yields thelowest cost for the emitters in D is determined. This detecting methodmay be called M3. Similar to M2, detecting method M3 may be identifiedby evaluating the cost of dwell D for the available detecting methodsand selecting the one with the lowest cost. Because M3 is a greatersensitivity and a smaller bandwidth detecting method than M2, more thanone M3 dwell may be needed to cover the entire frequency range ofMETHOD. The process continues to act 6014, where Cost 2 is defined asthe cost of using M3 for the emitters in set D, plus the cost of M2 foremitters in DX. It should be appreciated that M3 and M2 may be the samedetecting method or may be different detecting methods. If M3 and M2 arethe same detecting method, it may be assumed that the emitters in DX andD are covered by the same set of M3 dwells, and Cost 2 is defined as thecost of these dwells. Otherwise, as mentioned above, Cost 2 is the sumof the cost of M2 dwells for DX and the cost of the M3 dwells for D.

[0296] Next, at act 6013, Cost 1 is compared to Cost 2. If Cost 1 isless than Cost 2, then a dwell is built for the emitters in D usingMETHOD. A dwell or multiple dwells are also built for the emitters in DXusing M2. Otherwise, if Cost 2 is less than or equal to Cost 1, a dwellor set of dwells is built for set D using method M3 and one or moredwells are built for DX using M2.

[0297] It should be appreciated that MinFREQ may be altered as theprocess of FIG. 16 is executed. Initially, MinFREQ is set to LIMIT.LIMIT is a proposed lower bound of a potential dwell. Thus, when theprocess starts, it is testing the hypothesis that a dwell having thebandwidth of METHOD starting at LIMIT will satisfy the emitters in thatfrequency range. It is possible that when extracting the subset ofemitters that have compatible, non-conflicting hardware controls, thesmallest frequency of this set may be a frequency other than LIMIT.Another possibility is that the emitter that defined LIMIT is the vastlydifferent in minimum frequency, relative to the other emitters that canbe covered, and it has been tossed out of the “core” set, D. In thiscase, D contains the emitters that we want to solve on this iteration,and its possible that the dwell start for this set is something otherthan LIMIT. In this case MinFREQ would be set to the dwell start for setD.

[0298] Once the dwell or set of dwells is built, the information matrixmay be updated to remove rows that are completely covered by the dwellsand to alter the frequency ranges of the rows that are partially coveredby the dwell or set of dwells. MinFREQ is again to be the lowest RF Minleft in the information matrix that is greater than LIMIT. If no such RFMin exists, then MinFREQ may be set to the lowest RF Min left in theinformation matrix. The process of FIG. 16 may then be repeated startingat act 6003, and using the new value of MinFREQ. Once the informationmatrix is empty, then a scan strategy has been constructed for thisparticular LIMIT and METHOD combination.

[0299] It should be appreciated that looping on the Limit Vector andMethod Vector (i.e., M×N looping)are not necessary in building a scanstrategy. For example, LIMIT may simply be fixed at the lowest RF Min inthe information matrix and METHOD may be fixed at the lowest sensitivitydetecting method. The Create Dwell Set Process (e.g., in FIG. 16) maysimply be called using these fixed values for LIMIT and METHOD (e.g.,without using the LIMIT looping in FIG. 15 and the METHOD looping ofFIG. 18). Alternatively, LIMIT looping may be used without METHODlooping. That is, the value of METHOD is fixed at the lowest sensitivitydetecting method, and the Create Dwell Set Process is called for eachvalue in the Limit Vector. Alternatively, METHOD looping may be usedwithout LIMIT looping. In this scenario, the value of LIMIT is fixed atthe lowest RF Min initially in the information matrix and the CreateDwell Set Process is called for each value in the Method Vector.

[0300] Various modifications to the algorithms discussed above forcreating dwells as part of a scan strategy are available and intended tobe within the scope of the invention. Such modifications include, butare not limited to, modifications to the method of computing cost,modifications to the pre-filtering algorithm and the like. An example ofsuch a modification involves computing dwell cost using a smaller dwellduration value than the maximum from among the signal parameters of theemitters of interest. This modification will be discussed below ingreater detail.

[0301] Non-Maximum Dwell Duration Selection

[0302] As mentioned above, the minimum duration of a dwell is typicallythe maximum PRI of the emitters that the dwell is intended to cover.However, in some situations it may be possible to reduce the minimumdwell duration of a dwell to a length of time less than that of themaximum PRI of the emitters that the dwell is intended to cover. It maybe possible to reduce the minimum dwell duration, for example, when theoverall probability of intercept of a particular dwell may still be metwith a shorter dwell duration.

[0303] A first aspect of overall probability of intercept is theprobability that, during an illumination period, a pulse of the emitterwill occur during execution of dwell. As mentioned above, because theminimum dwell duration for detection of an emitter is typically set tothe PRI of that emitter, the probability of intercept is typically 1.0,because in most cases, a dwell will not fall between pulses of theemitter. However, if the dwell is not executed during an illuminationperiod, detection of the emitters may not occur. Thus, a second aspectof probability of intercept is the probability that the dwell will berevisited during an illumination period. If the revisit time is “out ofphase” to the illumination periods, then detection may not occur untilafter many illumination periods. Worse, if the revisit time andillumination period are exactly harmonically related and out of phase,then an intercept may never occur. However, as the revisit time for adwell is decreased, the likelihood that the dwell will be revisitedduring an illumination time is increased. Thus, as discussed above, adesired probability of intercept is used in computing revisit times foremitters in the information matrix, for a particular detecting method.As a result, the overall probability of intercept may be expressed asthe probability of executing the dwell during an illumination time(i.e., intercepting the emitter) multiplied by the probability ofdwelling long enough to intercept sufficient energy to declaredetection.

[0304] When a dwell is built from parameters of different emitters(e.g., DD_(MAX) is associated with Emitter 1 and RVT_(MIN) is associatedwith Emitter 2), it may be possible to meet the overall probability ofintercept without considering the dwell duration of a particular emitterwhen determining the DD_(MAX) of the emitters. For example, suppose afirst emitter and a second emitter are covered by a dwell which has arevisit time associated with the second emitter (i.e., RVT_(MIN) is therevisit time of the second emitter). As a result, the overallprobability of intercept of the first emitter in that dwell hasincreased because the revisit time for the dwell is lower than therevisit time calculated for that emitter. A cost savings may beachievable by decreasing the overall probability of intercept for thatemitter (i.e., to bring the overall probability of intercept back toapproximately what was specified during revisit time calculation). Theoverall probability of intercept for the emitter may be decreased incertain situations by decreasing the dwell duration of the dwell to alength of time less than that of the PRI of the emitter. Thesesituations occur, for example, when the revisit time of the dwell (i.e.,the RVT_(MIN)) adequately over-samples for that emitter. It may bedetermined if the revisit time of the dwell adequately over-samples forthe emitter if the inequality in Table 9 is true. In Table 9, RVT_(MIN)represents the lowest revisit time of the emitters covered by the dwell.DD_(MIN) represents the dwell duration of the emitter having RVT_(MIN).Thus, DD_(MIN) and RVT_(MIN) are in the same row and are associated withthe same emitter. RVT_(N) and DD_(N) represent the revisit time anddwell duration of the emitter being tested to determine if DD_(N) may beexcluded when determining DD_(MAX) for the dwell. TABLE 9${RVT}_{MIN} \leq {{RVT}_{N}( \frac{{DD}_{MIN}}{{DD}_{N}} )}$

[0305] Thus, if RVT_(MIN) is less than or equal to the product ofRVT_(N) and the ratio of DD_(MIN) to DD_(N), then RVT_(MIN) adequatelyover-samples such that DD_(MIN) may be used as the dwell durationwithout decreasing the overall probability of detection desired for theemitter associated with DD_(N) and RVT_(N).

[0306] An example of such a situation is shown in FIG. 19. Emitter 1 inFIG. 19 has a dwell duration of 1 ms and a revisit time of 500 ms.Emitter 2 has a dwell duration of 2 ms and a revisit time of 1200 ms.Suppose that when extracting a scan strategy for these two emitters(e.g., using the method described above in connection with dwellplacement), a dwell is created that covers both Emitter 1 and Emitter 2of FIG. 19. Using the method of computing cost as described in Table 3,the cost of this dwell would be 2/500 or 0.004, because the DD_(MAX) ofthe two emitters is 2 ms, and the RVT_(MIN) of the two emitters is 500ms. However, as mentioned above, because the dwell covering Emitter 2will now be executed every 500 ms instead of every 1200 ms, the overallprobability of intercept of Emitter 2 by the dwell has increased. Asmentioned above, a cost savings may be achieved by decreasing DD_(MAX)to the dwell duration of Emitter 1 (i.e., 1 ms), because the increasedrevisit time of the dwell, RVT_(MIN), adequately over-samples so thatthe original desired probability of intercept is not sacrificed.

[0307] For example, suppose that the desired probability of interceptspecified when calculating the revisit time for Emitter 2 is 0.5. If theprobability of intercept based on dwell duration is 1.0 (i.e., if dwellduration is 2 ms), then the overall probability of intercept would be0.5. Also assume that if the revisit time for Emitter 2 were 500 ms,then the probability of intercept would be 1.0. Thus, when a dwell iscreated having a revisit time of 500 ms and a dwell duration of 2 ms,the overall probability of detection is 1.0. However, the overalldesired probability of intercept was previously specified as 0.5. Nowassume that decreasing the dwell duration from 2 ms to 1 ms decreasesthe probability of dwelling long enough to intercept sufficient energyto declare detection (i.e., the probability of intercept based on dwellduration) of Emitter 2 to 0.5. Now the overall probability of detectionEmitter 2 is back to 0.5 (i.e., the product of 1.0 and 0.5) and a costsavings is achieved by reducing the dwell duration from 2 ms to 1 ms. Asmentioned above, the inequality of Table 9 may be used as a test todetermine if an emitter is adequately over-sampled for by RVT_(MIN) sothat the dwell duration of that emitter may be disregarded indetermining the DD_(MAX) for the dwell. Table 10 shows the result ofthis inequality using the emitters of FIG. 19, where RVT_(MIN) andDD_(MIN) represent the revisit time and dwell duration of Emitter 1,respectively and RVT_(N) and DD_(N) represent the revisit time and dwellduration of Emitter 2, respectively. TABLE 10 $\begin{matrix}{500 \leq 1200^{(\frac{1}{2})}} \\{500 \leq 600}\end{matrix}\quad$

[0308] Because the inequality is true (i.e., 500 is less than or equal600) for the values of Emitter 1 and Emitter 2, the dwell duration ofEmitter 2 may be excluded when determining the DD_(MAX) for the dwell.In the example of FIG. 19, the dwell would have a revisit time of 500 msand a dwell duration of 1 ms, yielding a cost of $\frac{1}{500}$

[0309] or 0.002.

[0310] In addition to cost savings in this manner, a cost savings mayalso be achieved in certain situations by running several dwells withdifferent timing relationships, as opposed to a single dwell, eventhough the dwells otherwise have the same tuning configurations. As aresult, the frequency range of the set of emitters covered by the dwellor dwells is scanned by the receiver multiple times, but at differentrates. For example, in FIG. 20, Emitter 1 and Emitter 2 have samehardware and tuning configuration and thus could be covered by a singledwell. The cost of covering these two emitters with a single dwell wouldbe 0.01 (i.e., 5/500). The cost of covering these two emitters with twoseparate dwells (i.e., a first dwell for Emitter 1 and a second dwellfor Emitter 2) would be 0.007 (i.e., 0.002+0.005). In addition, everytime the second dwell for Emitter 2 executes, it satisfies the detectionrequirements for Emitter 1 and Emitter 2, allowing the cost estimate of0.007 to be lowered.

[0311] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 21, Dwell 1, which coversEmitter 1 has a revisit time of 500 ms, thus it is executed every 500ms. Dwell 2 has a revisit time of 1000 ms and is executed every 1000 ms.However, because Dwell 2 satisfies the detection requirements for Dwell1 (i.e., the dwell duration of Dwell 2 is greater than 1 ms), it may notbe necessary to execute Dwell 1 at the 1000 ms intervals (i.e., 1000 ms,2000 ms, 3000 ms, etc.). As a result, the cost of executing Dwell 1 atthe 1000 ms intervals may be subtracted from the total cost of the twodwells. The equation in Table 11 is an example of an equation that maybe used to compute the cost of covering two emitters with separatedwells, taking into account the reduced cost provided by overlap of thedwells. In the equation of Table 11, DD₁ and RVT₁ represent the dwellduration and revisit time of the emitter with the shorter revisit time,while DD₂ and RVT₂ represent the dwell duration and revisit time of theemitter with the longer revisit time. TABLE 11${Cost} = \frac{{DD}_{2} + {{DD}_{1}( {\frac{{RVT}_{2}}{{RVT}_{1}} - 1} )}}{{RVT}_{2}}$

[0312] Thus, in the example of FIG. 21, the cost of using independentdwells, as computed by the equation of Table 11, would be 0.006. Table12 shows this computation. Thus, using two independent dwells forEmitter 1 and Emitter 2 in FIG. 21 yields a cost of 0.006, as opposed toa cost of 0.01 for a single or “merged” dwell. TABLE 12 $\begin{matrix}{{Cost} = \frac{5 + {1( {\frac{1000}{500} - 1} )}}{1000}} \\{{Cost} = \frac{6}{1000}} \\{{Cost} = {.006}}\end{matrix}\quad$

[0313]FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 are flowcharts illustrating a method fordetermining whether the dwell duration of a dwell may be reduced fromthe DD_(MAX) of the emitters which the dwell is intended to cover andwhether a single dwell or two or more dwells with different timingrelationships should be used to cover these emitters. That is, themethod of FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 may reduce the cost of covering theemitters by returning the number of dwells and the parameters of thesedwells to be used in the scan strategy. Thus, for example, whenextracting the scan strategy, this method may be performed whencomputing the cost of a dwell.

[0314] At act 9000 of FIG. 22, the Data Array is created. Each row inthe Data Array corresponds to an emitter that is covered by the dwellfor which the cost is being computed. The Data Array has three columns.The first column is minimum dwell duration (MDT), the second column isextended dwell duration (EDT), the third column is revisit time. Anexample of a Data Array 9044 is shown in FIG. 24A. Data Array 9044initially has seven rows, indicating that the dwell is intended to coverseven emitters. At act 9002, it is determined whether there is more thanrow in the Data Array. If there is only one row in the Data Array, thenthe dwell only covers one emitter. Thus, the parameters of the dwell(i.e., dwell duration and revisit time) which yield the lowest cost aresimply the dwell parameters associated with that emitter (e.g., thedwell duration and revisit time of the row in Data Array). Accordingly,the process continues to act 9004, where the dwell duration and revisittime of the row in the Data Array are returned as the solution for theparameters of the dwell.

[0315] If, however, there is more than one row in the Data Array, theprocess continues to act 9006, where the rows are ordered by revisittime, from the shortest revisit time to the longest revisit time. If tworows have the same revisit time, but different dwell durations, the rowwith the shorter minimum dwell duration may be replaced by the row withthe longer minimum dwell duration. In the example of Data Array 9044 ofFIG. 24A, because Data Array 9044 has more than one row, it is orderedby revisit time, as shown in FIG. 24B. The process next continues to act9008, where any redundant rows and rows that are a subset of other rowsare removed from Data. A row is a subset of another row if it has agreater revisit time but a shorter MDT and EDT than the other row.Because this row will not drive the dwell parameters (i.e., its dwellduration will not be DD_(MAX) and its revisit time will not beRVT_(MIN)), it may be excluded from the cost analysis. In Data Array9044 of FIG. 24B, because row 4 9048 is a subset of another (e.g.,row 1) it may be removed. Additionally, because row 6 9050 is redundantwith respect to row 5 9049, it may also be removed. The resulting DataArray 9044 is illustrated in FIG. 24C.

[0316] Once these rows are removed, the process continues to act 9010,where each row in the Data Array is compared to the first row in theData Array to determine if that row's MDT may be excluded whendetermining DD_(MAX) for the dwell. This may be done, for example, asdescribed above using the equation of Table 9. That is, if the revisittime of the first row is less than or equal to the product of therevisit time of the row being compared and the ratio of the dwellduration of the first row to the dwell duration of the row beingcompared, then the row being compared passes the test and it's dwellduration may be excluded when determining DD_(MAX). In the example ofData Array 9044 in FIG. 24C, row 4 9051 and row 5 9052 both pass thistest. This indicates that a dwell may be created having a DD_(MAX) ofthe first row and an RVT_(MIN) of the first row, which covers theemitters associated with the first row, row 4 9051, and row 5 9052. Theprocess of FIG. 22 then continues to act 9012, where the first row andany rows that were excluded in act 9010 (e.g., any rows passing the testof the equation of Table 9) may be removed from the Data Array. If norows passed the test of the equation of Table 9, only the first row ofthe Data Array is removed. Additionally, a row is created in a SolutionArray that indicates the parameters of a dwell which would cover theemitters associated with the rows removed from the Data Array in act9012. The parameters of this dwell would typically be the DD_(MAX) andthe RVT_(MIN) of the rows removed. However, because it was determined atact 9010 that the dwell durations of the rows passing the test of theequation of Table 9 could be excluded when determining DD_(MAX),DD_(MAX) is set to the dwell duration of the first row. The EDT of therow added to the solution matrix may be set to the longest EDT of allthe rows removed from the Data Array. FIG. 24D shows Data Array 9044 andSolution Array 9066 after acts 9010 and 9012 have been performed. As canbe seen, the first row of Data Array 9044, as well as rows 9051 and 9052have been removed from the Data Array. Additionally, a row has beencreated in Solution Array 9046 which includes the parameters of dwellthat would cover the rows removed from Data Array 9044.

[0317] The process of FIG. 22 next proceeds to act 9014, where it isdetermined if there are any rows remaining in the Data Array. If thereare no rows remaining, the process continues to act 9020. Otherwise, ifthere are rows remaining the process continues to act 9016, where it isdetermined if there is more than one row remaining in the Data Array. Ifthere is only one row remaining in the Data Array, then processcontinues to act 9018 where the remaining row is removed from the DataArray and added to the Solution Array. After the row is added to theSolution Array, the process continues to Act 9020. If there is more thanone row remaining in the Data Array at act 9016, the process returns toAct 9010, where the row comparisons are repeated, this time using thenew first row and comparing the subsequent rows to the new first row.The process then continues again to act 9012 where the first row of theData Array and any rows that were excluded in act 9010 are removed fromthe Data Array, and the resulting solution row for the removed rows isadded to the Solution Array. For example, because Data Array 9044 inFIG. 24D has more than one remaining row, the second row will becompared to the first row using the equation of Table 9. The second rowpasses this test, and thus both rows of the Data Array may be removedand the solution row resulting from these two rows may be added to theSolution Array. The resulting Data Array 9044 and Solution Array 9046are shown in FIG. 24E. Data Array 9044 is empty, because both rows havebeen removed. Solution Array 9046, now includes an additional row, whichrepresents the parameters of a dwell for the two emitters correspondingto the two rows just removed from the Data Array.

[0318] The process then continues to act 9014, where it is againdetermined if any rows are left in the Data Array. In the example ofFIG. 24E, no more rows are left in Data Array 9044, so the process wouldcontinue to act 9020. However, if there was more than one row left inthe Data Array, the process would return to act 9010 to again determineif any rows could be excluded given the new values of RVT_(MIN) andDD_(MIN).

[0319] Once the process reaches act 9020, the Data Array is empty andthe Solution Array includes possible solutions for the dwell parameters.For example, Solution Array 9046 includes two rows, indicating that twodwells may be used to cover the emitters. The first dwell has an MDT of1 ms, an EDT of 19 ms, and an RVT of 500 ms, while the second dwell hasan MDT of 2 ms, an EDT of 11 ms, and an RVT of 700 ms. However, asdiscussed above, it is possible in some situations that merging thesetwo dwells into a single dwell may result in a lower cost than runningtwo separate dwells. The process of FIG. 23 evaluates this possibilityand determines if dwells should be maintained as separate dwells or ifdwells should be merged. As will be discussed in greater detail belowwith respect to FIG. 23, if, after some rows in the Solution Array aremerged, more than one row remains in the Solution Array, it may bedesirable to return to FIG. 22 to determine if any of the rows left inthe Solution Array may be excluded in determining DD_(MAX) for thedwell.

[0320] Thus, at act 9020 of FIG. 22, the process continues to act 9022of FIG. 23, where it is determined if there is more than one row in theSolution Array. If there is only row in the Solution Array, then theprocess continues to act 9024 Solution Array is returned as thesolution, indicating that one dwell may be used to cover the emitters,having dwell parameters defined by the one row in the Solution Array. Ifthere is more than one row in the Solution Array, then the processcontinues to act 9026, where the index variable N is set to one. Thevariable N indicates the row in the solution that is currently beingevaluated. The process next continues to act 9028, where it isdetermined if Row N and Row N+1 of the Solution Array should be merged.This determination may be made for example, by calculating the cost ofusing separate dwells for Row N and Row N+1 using the equation of Table11 and comparing this cost to the cost of using a single “merged” dwellthat covers both row N and row N+1. The cost of using a single mergeddwell for both rows N and N+1 may be calculated, for example, using theequation of Table 3. That is, the cost of a merged dwell would be theDD_(MAX) of rows N and N+1 divided by the RVT_(MIN) of rows N and N+1.

[0321] If using separate dwells yields a lower cost than a merged dwell,the rows are kept separate. In the example of Solution Array 9046 ofFIG. 24E, there are two rows in the Solution Array. The cost of usingtwo separate dwells for these two rows is approximately 0.003, as shownin Table 13. The cost of using a single merged dwell is 0.004, as shownin Table 14. Because the cost of using separate dwells is less, the rowsare not merged. TABLE 13 $\begin{matrix}{{cost} = \frac{2 + {1( {\frac{700}{500} - 1} )}}{700}} \\{{cost} \approx {.003}}\end{matrix}\quad$

[0322] TABLE 14 $\begin{matrix}{{cost} = \frac{2}{500}} \\{{cost} = {.004}}\end{matrix}\quad$

[0323] In the cost computation examples in Table 13 and Table 14,minimum dwell duration (MDT) was used for the sake of simplicity. Asmentioned above, the actual dwell duration may in some situations begreater than the minimum dwell duration. It should be appreciated thatin any cost computation involving dwell duration an estimation of theactual dwell duration may be used, for example, using the equations ofTable 7 and Table 8 to determine an estimate of the actual dwellduration. However, for the sake of simplicity in the examples includedherein, MDT may sometimes be substituted for the estimate of actualdwell duration.

[0324] If it is determined that the rows should not be merged at act9028, the process continues to act 9030, where it is determined if N+1is the last row in the solution array. If N+1 is the last row in theSolution Array the process continues to act 9032 where it is determinedif any rows have been merged. If no rows have been merged, the processcontinues to act 9054 where the Solution Array is returned as thesolution. Each row represents a dwell and the parameters of the dwellthat will be used. Thus, in the example of Solution Array 9046, no rowswere merged because it was decided to maintain separate dwells. FIG. 24Fshows the Solution Array that will be returned as the solution. SolutionArray has two rows, thus two dwells may be used. The first dwell has anMDT of 1, an EDT 19 and an RVT of 500, while the second dwell has an MDTof 2, an EDT of 11, and an RVT of 700.

[0325] However, if at act 9032, it is determined that two or more rowshave been previously merged (e.g., on a previous iteration) the processcontinues to act 9042, where all rows in the Solution Array are removedfrom the Solution Array and added back into the Data Array. The order ofthe rows in the Solution Array is maintained in the Data Array. Theprocess then returns back to act 9010 of FIG. 22, so that it may bedetermined, for the new rows created by the merging of rows, if it ispossible to exclude the dwell duration of any of these rows indetermining DD_(MAX). The process then continues from 9010 as describedabove, until the Data Array is again empty and the unique solutions fromthe Data Array have been moved in to the Solution Array.

[0326] However, if at act 9030, it is determined that more than one rowremains in the Solution Array the process continues to act 9034, wherethe index variable N is incremented by one. After the index variable Nis incremented, the process returns to act 9028, where the determinationas to whether rows should merged or kept separate is made again, thistime with respect to the new row N and row N+1.

[0327] If it is determined at act 9028 that rows N and N+1 should bemerged, then the parameters of Row N are disregarded as a solution, andthe parameters of Row N+1 are redefined as the DD_(MAX) and RVT_(MIN) ofRows N and N+1. Thus, pretending for the sake of illustration, that rows1 and 2 in FIG. 24F yield a lower cost as a single merged dwell(although, as discussed above, these rows actually yield a lower cost asseparate dwells), then row 1 would be disregarded and row 2 would beupdates so that it's parameters are the DD_(MAX) and RVT_(MIN) of row 1and row 2 (i.e., MDT of 2, EDT of 19, and RVT of 500). The process thencontinues to act 9038, where it is determined if row N+1 is the last rowin the Solution Array. If Row N+1 is not the last row in the SolutionArray then the process continues to act 9034, where the value of theindex variable N is incremented by one, and the process returns to act9028 to evaluate whether the next two rows in the Solution Array shouldbe merged or kept separate. If Row N+1 is the last row in the SolutionArray, the process continues to act 9040, where it is determined if thenumber of rows in the Solution Array is greater than one.

[0328] If there is only one row in the Solution Array, the processcontinues to act 9054, where the Solution Array is returned as thesolution. That is, one dwell will be used with the parameters of the rowin the Solution Array. If there is more than one row in the SolutionArray, the process continues to act 9042, where all rows are removedfrom the Solution Array into the Data Array and the process returns toact 9010 of FIG. 22. As discussed above, at act 9010 of FIG. 22 the“new” rows created by merging may be determined if it is possible toexclude the dwell duration of any of these rows in determining DD_(MAX).

[0329] In this manner, it may be determined for a proposed dwellgenerated when extracting the scan strategy, if the proposed minimumdwell duration may be decreased, and if more than one dwell coveringseparate emitters would be more cost effective. It should be appreciatedthat this method may be performed each time dwell cost is computed orused only sometimes when dwell cost is computed.

[0330] Tuning Step Coverage Gap Avoidance

[0331] Once the scan strategy is created, a post-processing check may beperformed to ensure that no coverage gaps have been introduced betweenadjacent dwells, as a result of rounding down the minimum frequencybetween dwells. When the scan strategy is created, if the minimumfrequency of a dwell is not an integer multiple of the tuning step ofthe receiver, then the frequency range of the dwell will be shifted downso that the minimum frequency of the dwell is an integer multiple of thetuning step size. For example suppose the tuning step of the receiver is10 MHz and a dwell is created having a frequency range of 1255 MHz-1355MHz. When the scan strategy is created, the frequency range of the dwellmay be rounded down to 1250 MHz-1350 MHz, so that the minimum frequencyof the dwell (i.e., 1250 MHz) is an integer multiple of the tuning stepsize (i.e., 10 MHz).

[0332] For example, FIG. 25 shows a portion of a scan strategy 9070. Theportion of scan strategy 9070 includes adjacent dwells 1-12. A dwell isadjacent to another dwell if the frequency range of that dwell endswhere the frequency range of the other dwell begins or if the frequencyrange of that dwell begins where the frequency range of the other dwellends. For example, in the portion of scan strategy 9070, dwells 1 and 2are adjacent to each other because the frequency range of dwell 1 endswhere the frequency range of dwell 2 begins. Similarly, dwells 2 and 3are adjacent, dwell 3 and 4 are adjacent, etc. Hence, dwells 1-12 are ablock of adjacent dwells. In the example of FIG. 25, each of the dwells1-12 has the same bandwidth. However, it should be appreciated that thedwells do not necessarily have to have the same bandwidth to be a blockof adjacent dwells. Dwells 1-12 together cover Emitters 1, 2, and 3.

[0333] Scan strategy 9071 shows the portion of scan strategy 9070 afterthe frequency range of each dwell has been rounded down so that theminimum frequency of each of the dwells 1-12 is an integer multiple oftuning step size. As a result of this rounding down, there is a portionof the frequency spectrum 9072 that is no longer covered by any of thedwells 1-12. This portion of the frequency spectrum was previouslycovered by dwell 12 in scan strategy 9070, but was left uncovered whenthe frequency range of dwell 12 was rounded down in scan strategy 9071.Nonetheless, there is no coverage gap introduced because the entirefrequency range of Emitter 3 is still covered by dwells 9, 10, 11, and12. However, if the frequency range of Emitter 3 had extended into theportion of the frequency spectrum 9072, then a portion of the frequencyrange in which Emitter 3 may operate is left uncovered by the scanstrategy.

[0334] For example, in FIG. 26 scan strategy 9073 is a portion of scanstrategy again including 12 adjacent dwells (i.e., dwells 1-12). Thesedwells together are intended to cover Emitters 4, 5, and 6. Scanstrategy 9074 results after the dwells of scan strategy 9073 are roundeddown so that their minimum frequencies are integer multiples of thetuning step size. Similar to FIG. 25, a portion of the frequencyspectrum 9075 that was previously covered by dwell 12 is left uncoveredafter dwell 12 is rounded down. However, in this instance, the frequencyrange in which Emitter 6 may operate extends into this portion of thefrequency spectrum 9075. Thus, because a portion of the frequency rangeof Emitter 6 is not covered by a dwell, a coverage gap is introduced.

[0335] In one embodiment of the invention, this problem is detected andcorrected by providing an addition dwell to cover the portion of thefrequency spectrum left uncovered by the rounding down of dwells.Typically, coverage gaps are only problem for smaller bandwidth dwells.In the case of larger bandwidth dwells, when the receiver is steppedthrough the frequency range covered by the dwell and reaches the top ofthe frequency range of the dwell (i.e., the last tuning step of thedwell), the bandwidth of the detecting method is wide enough to pick upany emitter signals that are left uncovered above the maximum frequencyrange of the dwell. Therefore, in one embodiment of the invention, onlythe smallest bandwidth dwells are checked to determine if any coveragegaps have been introduced as a result of rounding down the minimumfrequency of dwells. However, it should be appreciated that all dwellsmay be checked for this problem or only a subset of dwells may bechecked.

[0336]FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining ifany coverage gaps exist as a result of rounding down the smallestbandwidth dwells of the scan strategy. At act 9080 a Data Array iscreated. The Data Array is an array based on the Information Matrix.Each row in the Data Array represents an emitter/mode for which the scanstrategy was created to detect. The columns in the Data Array representthe parameters of these emitters (e.g., RF Min, RF Max, dwell duration,revisit times, etc.). After the Data Array is created, the processcontinues to Act 9081 where the Scan Array is created based on the scanstrategy. Each row in the Scan Array represents a dwell in the scanstrategy. The columns of the Scan Array represent the parameters of thedwell (e.g., MDT, EDT, RVT, etc.). Once the Scan Array is created, theprocess continues to act 9082, where the Scan Array is used to identifyblocks of adjacent smallest bandwidth dwells. A block may include one ormore dwells. Also at act 9082, the index variable N is set to one. Thisindex variable is used to identify which block identified in act 9082 iscurrently being analyzed.

[0337] The process next continues to act 9083 where any emitters thatare detectable at the top of block N are identified. That is, anyemitters that are detectable by the top most dwell (i.e., highestmaximum frequency dwell) in the block are identified. This includesemitters whose maximum frequency exceeds the maximum frequency of thedwell by at most one tuning step. The process then continues to act 9084where it is determined if the highest frequencies the emittersidentified in act 9083 are below the maximum frequency of the top mostdwell in block N. If there are no emitters whose maximum frequencyexceeds the maximum frequency of the block, then the process continuesto act 9086, where it is determined if all blocks have been evaluated.If all blocks have been evaluated for the existence of coverage gapsthen the process ends at act 9089. Otherwise, if some blocks have notyet been evaluated the process continues to act 9088 where the value ofN is incremented by one and the process returns to act 9083 and the nextblock of adjacent dwells is evaluated for the existence of coveragegaps.

[0338] If, at act 9084, it is determined that one or more emitters'highest frequency exceeds the highest frequency of the top most dwell ofblock N, then the process continues to act 9085. At act 9085 it isdetermined if the uncovered portion of the frequency spectrum created bythe rounding down of the top most dwell of block N is covered by anotherdwell and if the emitter or emitters which are uncovered are detectableby that dwell. This may be determined, for example, by searching theScan Array for additional dwells which cover that portion of thefrequency range, whose parameters are suitable for detecting theuncovered emitter or emitters.

[0339] If the uncovered portion of the emitter or emitters is detectableby another dwell, then the process continues to act 9086 where it isdetermined if all blocks have been evaluated. If all blocks have beenevaluated for the existence of coverage gaps then the process ends atact 9089. Otherwise, if some blocks have not yet been evaluated theprocess continues to act 9088 where the value of N is incremented by oneand the process returns to act 9083 and the next block of adjacentdwells is evaluated for the existence of coverage gaps.

[0340] Otherwise, if the uncovered portion of the emitter or emitters isnot detectable by another dwell, a new dwell is created and thisadditional dwell is appended to the top most dwell of block N. Theparameters of this dwell are set so that they cover the emitter oremitters that were left uncovered as a result of the rounding down ofthe top most dwell of block N. That is, the dwell duration and revisittime of the additional dwell will be the DD_(MAX) and RVT_(MIN) of theemitter or emitters that were left uncovered.

[0341] After the additional dwell has been created, the processcontinues to act 9086 where it is determined if all blocks have beenevaluated. If all blocks have been evaluated for the existence ofcoverage gaps then the process ends at act 9089. Otherwise, if someblocks have not yet been evaluated the process continues to act 9088where the value of N is incremented by one and the process returns toact 9083 and the next block of adjacent dwells is evaluated for theexistence of coverage gaps.

[0342] It should be appreciated that if it is known that all dwells havea minimum frequency that is an integer multiple of the tuning step size,then it may not be necessary to check for coverage gaps. Manymodifications to the general algorithm shown in FIG. 27 may occur tothose skilled in the art and these are intended to be within the spiritand scope of the invention.

[0343] Resource Verification and Allocation

[0344] As described above, a scan strategy may be generated using datafrom the information matrix. However, the scan strategy may not berealizable due to hardware or software limitations of the receiversystem. In one embodiment of the invention, the scan strategy is checkedto verify that the scan strategy is realizable by the receiver system.If it is determined that the scan strategy is not realizable, then thescan strategy may be replaced or modified to fit within the capacity ofthe receiver system.

[0345] The limitations of the receiver system may be expressed as alimit on the total number of dwells and limits on the quantity of dwelltypes. That is, the receiver system may have capacity for a certainnumber of dwells total, as well as capacity for a certain number ofdwells for each unique instantaneous frequency (IF) of the detectingmethods. An algorithm may be used to check for dwell capacityviolations. If any capacity violations are found, the excess capacitymay be removed from the scan strategy. The portion of the scan strategythat is removed may be replaced with a scan strategy that is constrainednot to use the consumed receiver system assets.

[0346] An algorithm for determining if a scan strategy is realizable bythe receiver system and for constraining the scan strategy to fit withinthe capacity of the receiver system according to one embodiment of theinvention is described below. This algorithm may be performed as apost-processing task, after the scan strategy has been generated. Thealgorithm tests the scan strategy from the widest IF bandwidth to thesmallest. As capacity limits are reached for a particular IF bandwidth,the excess capacity dwells are removed, so that the capacity issatisfied for that particular bandwidth. These dwells may be replaced,for example, by using the dwell placement algorithms shown in FIGS. 15,16, and 18, to create new dwells that cover the frequency range of theremoved dwells. However, when the dwell placement algorithm is used, itwill be constrained to only using detecting methods having an IFbandwidth less than that of the removed dwells. This process may berepeated for each IF bandwidth, from widest to smallest. As a result,capacity violations are “bow waved” to smaller IF bandwidths.

[0347] If the smallest IF bandwidth is checked and capacity violationsstill exist, then dwells may be discarded from the scan strategy.However, because any capacity violations have been “bow waved” to thesmallest IF bandwidth, any discarded dwells will use a detecting methodof the smallest IF bandwidth. Thus, the amount of frequency coveragethat is lost by discarding dwells is reduced because the discardeddwells are smallest IF bandwidth dwells. Additionally, if dwells arediscarded, an error may be logged which indicates to the operator thatsome frequency coverage may have been lost.

[0348]FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are flow charts illustrating an example ofsuch an algorithm. At act 5100 of FIG. 28, DATA, SCAN TABLE andCAPACITIES are received. DATA is a matrix of emitter parameters, whereeach row in the matrix represents an emitter that is covered by the scanstrategy. DATA may be, for example, the information matrix used increating the scan strategy. SCAN TABLE is a table describing the scanstrategy. That is, SCAN TABLE is a table of the dwells in the scanstrategy. CAPACITIES includes information relating to the capacity ofthe receiver system. The capacity of the receiver system may beexpressed in various ways. For example, the capacity may be expressed inlimitations on number of dwells permitted and number of dwells permittedper unique IF bandwidth, and number of hardware calibrations permittedfor a dwell. While the examples below discuss receiver system capacityin terms of calibrations it should be appreciated that any suitablemeasure at capacity may be used and the invention is not limited in thisrespect.

[0349] Once DATA, SCAN TABLE, and CAPACITIES are received, the processcontinues to act 5101, where an IF Array is created and the indexvariable, n, is set to one. The IF Array may be, for example, aone-dimensional array, that lists all the unique IF bandwidths, orderedfrom the widest IF bandwidth to the smallest IF bandwidth. As discussedabove, a detecting method is a particular IF/VBW bandwidth combination.Thus, for example, if there are eight unique detecting methodsavailable, there may be, for example, four unique IF bandwidths. In thiscase, the IF Array would include these four unique bandwidths, orderedfrom widest to smallest. In the example information matrix shown in FIG.13, there are two detecting methods available. The first has an IFbandwidth of 250 MHz and the second has an IF bandwidth of 30 MHz. Thus,if only these two detecting methods were available, the IF Array wouldinclude these two elements. 250 MHz would precede 30 MHz in the IF Arraybecause an IF bandwidth of 250 MHz is wider than an IF bandwidth of 30MHz. It should be appreciated that, as any number of detecting methodsmay be used, the IF Array may include any number of elements, as theinvention is not limited in this respect. The index variable n indicatesthe position in the IF Array that is currently being examined. Thus, atact 5101 n is initialized to one.

[0350] The process continues to act 5102 where the number ofcalibrations needed for the dwells in the scan strategy having an IFbandwidth of the nth element of the IF Array is determined. Acalibration refers to the hardware configuration of a dwell. Some dwellsmay only differ in terms of timing (i.e., dwell duration and revisittime). If these dwells share the same hardware configuration, then theyshare the same calibration. Thus, there may be a certain number ofunique dwells of a particular IF bandwidth, but the number of uniquehardware configurations for those dwells may be less than that number(i.e., if two or more dwells have the same hardware configuration).Thus, two dwells have a the same calibration if they have the same IFbandwidth, video bandwidth (VBW), and center frequency. Typically, morereceiver system resources are required to support the wider bandwidthdwells. Receiver systems are usually calibrated versus frequency. Thus,the wider the IF bandwidth of the dwell, the more frequency calibrationpoints are required.

[0351] Once the number of frequency calibrations that are needed for thedwells of that particular IF bandwidth is determined the processcontinues to act 5103, where it is determined if the number ofcalibrations for the particular IF bandwidth determined at act 5102exceeds the number of allowable calibrations for the particular IFbandwidth. This determination may be made, for example, by using theinformation in CAPACITIES.

[0352] If the number of frequency calibrations needed for the dwells ofthe particular IF bandwidth exceed the limitation imposed by thereceiver system, the process continues to act 5104. Here, the variable Xis defined as the number of dwells that that exceed the capacity to bediscarded. That is, at act 5104, the number of dwells that may bediscarded so that the number of frequency calibrations needed meets thelimitation of the receiver system is determined. For the sake ofclarity, this number is represented by the variable X. The process thencontinues to act 5105 where the X dwells with the largest revisit timesare identified. These dwells are the dwells to be discarded.

[0353] The process continues to act 5106 where the subset of emitter inDATA that the X dwells were are intended to intercept is determined.Thus, the emitters (or portions of emitters) that are left uncovered bydiscarding the X dwells is determined. The process then continues to act5107, where a new scan strategy is created for the subset of emittersthat were left uncovered. This may be accomplished, for example, bycreating an information matrix using the subset of emitters in DATA thatare left uncovered, and performing the methods illustrated in FIG. 15and FIG. 16 for determining a scan strategy, using this informationmatrix. However, the method of FIG. 16 is constrained so that detectingmethods having an IF bandwidth greater than or equal to that of thediscarded dwells cannot be used. That is, these detecting methods may beexcluded from the Method Vector. Thus, a new scan strategy results forthis subset of emitters, and this new scan strategy may be appended tothe existing scan strategy, to provide coverage for the subset ofemitters that were left uncovered by the discarding the X dwells.

[0354] Once the new scan strategy has been created and appended to theexisting scan strategy the process continues to act 5108. If, at act5103, it was determined that the number of calibrations does not exceedthe calibration capacity of the receiver for that particular IFbandwidth, the process goes directly to act 5108. At act 5108, the totalnumber of dwells with an IF bandwidth of the current IF bandwidth beinganalyzed (i.e., the nth element of the IF Array) is determined. Theprocess then continues to act 5109 where it is determined if the numberof dwells determined in 5108 exceed the receiver's capacity for dwellsof the particular IF bandwidth. This determination may be made, forexample, by comparing the number of dwells determined in act 5108 to thelimit on dwells of the particular IF bandwidth specified in CAPACITIES.

[0355] If the total number of dwells for the IF bandwidth being examinedexceeds the receiver system capacity, the process continues to act 5111.At act 5111 any independent dwells of the particular IF bandwidth areidentified. These dwells are merged, starting with the independentdwells having the largest revisit times, until the number of dwellsfalls within the receiver system limits. By merging the dwells withlargest revisit times first, the cost savings that is lost by using amerged dwell instead of separate dwells is reduced. The process thencontinues to act 5110 where it is determined if the nth element of theIF Array is the last element of the IF Array. If it is, then all IFbandwidths have been examined and the process continues to act 5112. Ifnot all IF bandwidths have been examined then the process continues toact 5113, where the index variable n is incremented by one and theprocess repeats for the next IF bandwidth in the IF Array. That is, thenext IF bandwidth in the IF Array will be examined to determine if thenumber of calibrations needed for that particular IF bandwidth fitswithin the receiver system capacity (i.e., acts 5102-5107) and if thenumber of dwells of that IF bandwidth fits within the receiver systemcapacity (i.e., acts 5108-5111). Thus, each IF bandwidth in the IF Arraymay be examined.

[0356] As mentioned above, once the last element in the IF array hasbeen examined, as described above, the process continues to act 5112. Atact 5112, the process continues to act 5113 of FIG. 29. At act 5113 ofFIG. 29, the total size of the scan strategy is determined. The totalsize of the scan strategy may be expressed as the amount of receiversystem memory needed to store and support the scan strategy. The processthen continues to act 5114 where it is determined if the total size ofthe scan strategy is within the receiver system's capacity. If the scanstrategy is within the capacity of the receiver system then the processends at act 5121.

[0357] Otherwise, the process continues to act 5115 where the dwell ofthe smallest IF bandwidth are identified. The process continues to act5116 where any independent dwells of the smallest IF bandwidth aremerged until the capacity limit is satisfied or all independent dwellsare merged. The process then continues to act 5117 where the size ofscan strategy is again evaluated to determine if it is within thereceiver system's capacity. If the scan strategy size is within thereceiver system capacity, then the process continues to act 5121 wherethe process ends. Otherwise, the process continues to act 5118 where thenumber of dwells to be discarded so that the scan strategy size iswithin the receiver system capacity is determined. This number isdefined as Z. The process then continues to act 5119 where Z smallest IFbandwidth dwells are discarded. The process then continues to act 5120where an error message is logged for the operator indicating that asubset of emitters is left uncovered by the Z dwells which werediscarded. The process then continues to act 5121 where the processends.

[0358] It should be appreciated that many modifications may be made tothe general algorithm described above and these are intended to bewithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0359] Intercept Performance Evaluation

[0360] Once a scan strategy is created, the scan strategy's interceptperformance against a given emitter set under specific altitude, rangeand receiver load conditions may be evaluated. Evaluating the scanstrategy may include modeling 2D and 3D emitter scan patterns, and thecompilation of performance statistics for each emitter mode analyzed.

[0361] Intercept performance evaluation allows for an independent meansof validating the scan strategy. A scan strategy may be built byapplying sets of algorithms to determine the best way to satisfy a groupof emitter characteristics. If the algorithms are perfect, and theemitter data does not conflict, then the scan strategy should becorrect. However, the possible combinations of input data and theirinteractions can be very complex, so an independent means of validatingthe scan strategy may be desirable. As a result, one avoids the cost oflab testing with actual receiver system hardware and software to proveprobability of intercept and mean time to intercept performance. Thus,each emitter is tested for detectability and intercept performanceagainst the probability of detection and mean time to interceptrequirements and reports are produced for a user to review.

[0362] Intercept performance evaluation may also take into accountperformance variation as a result of scenario assumptions. The scanstrategy may be built for a specific set of emitters under specificengagement scenarios. Intercept performance evaluation allows variationin the scenario assumptions from those for which the scan strategy wasbuilt, and allows for evaluation of how well a scan strategy built forone set of emitters might perform for a different set.

[0363] An algorithm for intercept performance is described below. Thealgorithm uses a DATA matrix, which is a matrix of emitter parameters.Each row in DATA represents an emitter/mode. The algorithm also uses anEmitter List, that includes a list of emitters in DATA selected forprobability of intercept and mean time to intercept analysis. Thealgorithm also a uses the scan strategy that was built. The scanstrategy includes a set of dwells whose performance will be evaluatedagainst the emitters in the Emitter List. Lastly, the algorithm uses aset of scenario assumptions. These scenario assumptions are parameterswhich define the intercept conditions and may include altitude,velocity, and scan load estimate.

[0364] The algorithm begins by computing the probability of interceptand mean time to intercept for each entry in the Emitter List. This maybe accomplished by, for each emitter in the emitter list, finding thatemitter in the DATA matrix and extracting its parameters. Then, thesubset of dwells in scan strategy that provide coverage based onhardware attributes of the dwell (e.g., frequency coverage, pulse widthcoverage) is identified. If no dwell is found in the scan strategy, acoverage error may be logged to the user and the next emitter in theEmitter List. If one or more dwells is identified, the emitter'sfrequency range may be broken down into discrete pieces, as defined bythe intersection with subset of detection dwell. FIG. 30 illustrates thebreakdown of an emitter's frequency range into discrete pieces. Asillustrated in FIG. 30, each portion of the emitter's frequency rangethat is covered by a unique combination of dwells is considered adiscrete piece.

[0365] For each discrete frequency piece, p, identify the subset ofdwells that cover that frequency piece. For each dwell of the subset ofdwells, the following steps are performed. A simulation may be performedfor each dwell against the emitter to generate a set oftime-to-intercept results. The simulation for generating thetime-to-intercept results will be discussed below in greater detail.Next, a normalized histogram of the time-to-intercept data may becreated. Additional plots of the data may also be created. Next, thetime-to-intercept data may be converted to probability of detection andmean time to intercept statistics. The probability of detection may bedetermined based on the percentage of time-to-intercept times less thanor equal to required intercept time. The mean time to intercept may begenerated based on the average of all time-to-intercept values. Further,the statistics generated by the simulation for each dwell and for eachfrequency piece may be stored.

[0366] Next, for each discrete frequency piece, p, the contribution ofthe composite dwells, to that frequency piece may be computed. Table 15shows an equation for computing the contribution of the composite dwells(n) to the mean time to intercept (MTTI) for p. Table 16 shows anequation for computing the contribution of the composite dwells (n) tothe probability of detection (Pd) for p. TABLE 15${MTTI}_{p} = {\sum\limits_{n}\frac{1}{{MTTI}_{n}}}$

[0367] TABLE 16${Pd}_{p} = {1 - {\prod\limits_{n}( {1 - {Pd}_{n}} )}}$

[0368] Using the equations of Table 15 and Table 16, the minimumperformance may be recorded. The minimum performance is represented bythe smallest Pd_(p) value and largest MTTI_(p) value. Also, the overallperformance may be determined. The overall Pd and the overall MTTI arethe weighted average of Pd_(p) and MTTI_(p) respectively. The weight foreach piece is the ratio of each piece's frequency range divided by theemitter's frequency range.

[0369] As mentioned above, a simulation may be run to generate a set oftime-to-intercept values. In one embodiment of the invention, a MonteCarlo simulation is performed to generate the data used to determine thestatistics of intercept of a specific dwell against a specific emitter.The emitter's scan is simulated and time above dwell sensitivity isnoted, reduced by the amount of time required for data collection. Thisrepresents the illumination time periods available for intercept. FIG.31 shows an emitter scan pattern. FIG. 31 also shows an sensitivitythreshold, based on the sensitivity of the dwell. The dwell's time ofexecution is modeled as a random process with a mean value of revisittime. “Jitter” about the mean may be represented by a constant tosimulate process noise. The mean revisit time may also be scaled tosimulate receiver loading (i.e., utilization). The start time of theemitter's scan and the start time of the first dwell are both randomizedat the start of each Monte Carlo trial. The trial ends when the dwellstart time falls within one of the time periods available for interceptand the dwell duration captures at least one pulse or signal sample ofthe emitter. The time from emitter scan start to this time is recordedas the Time-to-Intercept for this trial. The number of Monte Carlotrials to perform may be selected by a user or may be specified inanother manner. An array of time-to-intercept values is returned.

[0370] An algorithm for performing the simulation is described below.The algorithm uses a set of Emitter Parameters of the emitter toevaluate, a set of dwell parameters of a dwell for which the emitterwill be evaluated, and a set of scenario assumptions, includingparameters which define the intercept conditions (e.g., altitude,velocity, and scan load estimate, utilization)

[0371] The algorithm begins by using the set of scenario assumptions todetermine Antenna/Scan pattern detectability. If there is real antennadata available, this data may be used in determining the antennadetectability. Otherwise, a propagation model may be used. If theemitter is a steady emitter, the propagation module may useinsignificant amplitude modulation as a function of time/angle. If theemitter is a 2D emitter (e.g., sector, circular), the propagation modelmay use amplitude modulation as a function of time/angle in the azimuthplane only. If the emitter is a 3D emitter (e.g., electronic, mechanicalraster), the propagation module may use amplitude modulation as afunction of time/angle in several elevation planes and across azimuth.

[0372] If the maximum amplitude is less than the dwell's sensitivity,then zero may be recorded as the time-to-intercept to indicate that theemitter is not detectable by the dwell. Otherwise, the start and stoptimes of each illumination time per scan period may be recorded. Asshown in FIG. 32, the stop time may be reduce by the desired minimumintegration time to declare a detection (e.g., several pulses orsamples).

[0373] Once the antenna scan pattern is determined, a series of MonteCarlo trials may be performed. For each Monte Carlo trial, the followingacts may be performed. First antenna pointing angle (antenna scan start)is randomized. The revisit time (RVT) may then be scaled by the loadfactor (i.e., RVT=RVT×Utilization). Next, the initial time T (i.e., timefor first dwell execution) is set as a random value of process noisejitter. Next it is determined if T intersects one of the illuminationperiods of the scan pattern. If T does not intersect one of theilluminations, then T may be incremented by RVT plus process noisejitter (jitter always<RVT) and again it may be determined if Tintersects one of the illumination periods. If T grows too large, thetime-to-intercept for this Monte Carlo trial is recorded as “infinity”and the next trial may be run. If T does intersect one of theillumination periods, it may be determined if the dwell duration (T,T+MDT) brackets at least one pulse or sample (i.e., if the receiverdwelled long enough to declare detection).

[0374] If the dwell duration did not bracket at least one pulse, T maybe increased by RVT plus process noise jitter and it may again bedetermined if T intersects one of the illumination periods, as describedabove. Otherwise, T may be recorded as a valid time-to-intercept valuefor this Monte Carlo trial and the algorithm may proceed to next trial.

[0375] Having described several embodiments of the invention in detail,various modifications and improvements will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended tobe within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, theforegoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended aslimiting. The invention is limited only as defined by the followingclaims and equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for detecting an emitter signal using atleast one dwell, wherein a dwell indicates a frequency range, an amountof time a receiver is tuned to the frequency range, how often thereceiver revisits the frequency range, and a detecting method, themethod comprising acts of: a) selecting a set of emitters, the set ofemitters including at least one emitter; b) determining a plurality ofreceiver detecting methods available to detect the set of emitters; c)selecting a first detecting method of the plurality of detectingmethods; d) creating a first scan strategy, the first scan strategyhaving a first set of dwells, wherein a bandwidth of the first detectingmethod is used to determine a subset of the plurality of emitters whosefrequency range at least partially overlaps a frequency range of thefirst set of dwells; and e) determining a first cost of the first scanstrategy.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising acts of: f)selecting a second detecting method of the plurality of detectingmethods; g) creating a second scan strategy, the scan strategy having asecond set of dwells, wherein a bandwidth of the second detecting methodis used to determine a subset of the plurality of emitters whosefrequency range at least partially overlaps a frequency range of thesecond set of dwells; and h) determining a second cost of the secondscan strategy.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising acts of: i)comparing the first cost to the second cost; j) selecting the first scanstrategy if the first cost is less than the second cost; and k)selecting the second scan strategy if the second cost is less than thefirst cost.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the act j) furthercomprises executing the first scan strategy on a receiver system todetect signals of the set of emitters.
 5. The method of claim 4, whereinthe act k) further comprises executing the second scan strategy on areceived system to detect signals of the set emitters.
 6. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the second detecting method has a greater sensitivitythan the first detecting method.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst set of dwells includes at least one dwell.
 8. The method of claim2, wherein the second set of dwells includes at least one dwell.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the act d) further comprises an act ofcomparing the cost of using the first detecting method as the detectingmethod for the first set of dwells with the cost of using each of theother detecting methods of the plurality of detecting methods as thedetecting method for the first set of dwells.
 10. The method of claim 2,wherein the act g) further comprises an act of comparing the cost ofusing the second detecting method as the detecting method for the firstset of dwells with the cost of using each of the other detecting methodsof the plurality of detecting methods as the having an associatedsensitivity greater than an associated sensitivity of the seconddetecting method as the detecting method for the second set of dwells.11. A method for detecting an emitter signal using at least one dwell,wherein a dwell indicates a frequency range, an amount of time areceiver is tuned to the frequency range, how often the receiverrevisits the frequency range, and a receiver detecting method, themethod comprising acts of: a) creating a first dwell to detect signalsfrom an emitter the first dwell using a first detecting method andindicating a first frequency range, the first frequency rangeoverlapping at least a portion of the frequency range of the emitter; b)determining a first cost of the first dwell; c) creating a set of seconddwells to detect signals from the emitter, each of the set of seconddwells using a second detecting method, the set of second dwells havinga combined second frequency range overlapping the portion of thefrequency range of the emitter; d) determining a second cost of the setof second dwells; and e) comparing the first cost and the second cost.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising an act of: f) selectingthe first set of dwells for use in a scan strategy if the first cost isless than the second cost and selecting the second set of dwells for usein the scan strategy if the second cost is less than the first cost. 13.The method of claim 12, further comprising an act of: g) executing thescan strategy including the dwells selected in act f) in a receiversystem.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the act b) further comprisesacts of: b1) determining a respective cost of each respective dwell ofthe first set of dwells; and b2) summing the cost respective costs ofeach of the first set of dwells to generate the first cost.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the act b1) further comprises determiningthe respective cost for each respective dwell by dividing a respectivedwell duration associated with each respective dwell by a respectiverevisit time associated with each respective dwell.
 16. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the act d) further comprises acts of: d1) determininga respective cost of each respective dwell of the second set of dwells;and d2) summing the cost respective costs of each of the second set ofdwells to generate the second cost.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthe act d1) further comprises determining the respective cost for eachrespective dwell by dividing a respective dwell duration associated witheach respective dwell by a respective revisit time associated with eachrespective dwell.
 18. A receiver system for detecting an emitter signalusing at least one dwell, wherein a dwell indicates a frequency range,an amount of time a receiver is tuned to the frequency range, how oftenthe receiver revisits the frequency range, and a receiver detectingmethod, the receiver system comprising: a memory having stored therein ascan strategy, the scan strategy being created by a system that executesacts of: a) selecting a set of emitters, the set of emitters includingat least one emitter; b) determining a plurality of receiver detectingmethods available to detect the set of emitters; c) selecting a firstdetecting method of the plurality of detecting methods; d) creating afirst scan strategy, the first scan strategy having a first set ofdwells, wherein a bandwidth of the first detecting method is used todetermine a subset of the plurality of emitters whose frequency range atleast partially overlaps a frequency range of the first set of dwells;and e) determining a first cost of the first scan strategy; and acontroller that configures receiver hardware to execute the scanstrategy.
 19. The receiver system of claim 18, further comprising aninterface adapted to receive a scan strategy from the system.
 20. Thereceiver system of claim 18, wherein the receiver is mounted in avehicle.